Women and clothing in Incan Society
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[edit] Women in the Incan Society
Women were a very essential part of Incan society. Their principle role in society was to care for their children; however, they had many other household duties to make their lives after marriage very strenuous.
[edit] Marriage
Incan women were typically married between the ages of eighteen and twenty-two. In Incan society, monogamy was not strictly imposed; however, due to economic restrictions men tended to only have one wife.
Trial marriages were typical within Incan culture. In this type of marriage, the man and woman would agree to try out being married to one another for a few years. At the end of this time the woman could go home to her parents if she wished, and her husband could also send her home if he didn’t think it would work out. However, once the marriage was made final, they could only divorce if the woman was childless.
Women would almost always marry men in the same social class as them. However, while it was very rare for them to marry a man with a higher social ranking, it was still possible for some young women. The only way for a young woman to alter her social ranking would be if a man of higher ranking took notice of her.
In the Incan society, a wedding was not a joyous celebration, as it is in many cultures. Instead, it was looked at more as a business-like agreement. Therefore, it is important to note that for the Incans, marriage was an economic agreement between two families. Once a woman was married, she was expected to collect food and cook, watch over the animals and the children, and also make trips to the market. A woman’s household obligations would not change after she became pregnant. When she did find out she was pregnant she prayed and made offerings to an Incan god, kanopa.
[edit] Young girls
The naming ceremony of a young Incan girl occurred between the ages of five and twelve. This is a very significant tradition for a young girl and her family. Her godfather is chosen at this ceremony, and very specific rituals are performed with the family. After these are performed, they proceed to have a celebration with dancing and other festivities. Most importantly, when the festivities are over the young girl will go and help her mother with household duties. This was the first step in a young girl’s path to becoming a woman.
The next important step in a young Incan girl’s path to becoming a woman is when she reaches the age of puberty. At this time there is great celebration within the family. Her mother will then take her clothes of childhood and give her new clothes, which she will wear throughout her adult life. At this point she is now a young woman in society, and therefore takes on the roles and responsibilities that follow.
Not all women followed this same path; some were chosen at a young age (around eight to ten) to live in a temple, where they would give a vow of chastity. In these temples, the young girls would perform in religious events. Some of these women are sacrificed for religious purposes, and others are married off to noblemen.
Anton, Ferdinand. Woman In Pre-Columbian America. New York, 1973 Baudin, Louis. Daily Life in Peru. Great Britain, 1961 Disselhoff, Hans Dietrich. Daily Life in Ancient Peru. Munich, 1967 "Chosen Women." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 20 Sept. 2006 <http://0-search.eb.com.tiger.coloradocollege.edu:80/eb/article-9082364>. [UNUSABLE LINK:"Only current students, faculty or staff of Colorado College may access restricted databases."]
[edit] Incan Apparel
The Incans had a very distinct style, which was most significantly influenced by their culture and their location. Because Incans were spread out from the mountains to the coast, their attire often varied. Similarly, they had traditions specific to their culture that dictated what one would wear.
Incans typically did not wear shoes, however it has been discovered that some wore wool moccasins and a type of leather sandal. Most typically, the leather of the sandal came from the llama, because of how thickness it was. Before the age of fourteen, Incan boys would wear a longer tunic; starting at the age of fourteen, men would wear loincloths made of either wool or cotton, which was said to be a mark of distinction and maturity in young men. This Incan tradition is an example of a way their culture influenced the apparel and style of the Incans.
On top, they would wear a simple tunic, which varied depending on where they lived. For example, Incans who lived on the mountains tended to wear longer tunics and loincloths than those who lived inland, due to the differences in weather. Furthermore, some Incans would sometimes have tunics with long sleeves depending on their location. Other garments of clothes that were worn in inclement weather were certain types of wool caps and long cloaks, which were typically worn by those Incans in the mountainous regions. Formal cloaks were often made up entirely of feathers, and were then given a cotton base. The Incans always made their clothing to fit a specific person, and therefore never cut them. Another thing to note about Incan apparel is how it changed over time. It is believed that between the birth of Christ and the emergence of European conquest that Incan apparel remained relatively stagnant. Before the birth of Christ men would simply wear loincloths as opposed to tunics as well.
Women wore a similar unka, or tunic, as the Incan men, yet theirs tended to be much longer. Over this they would wear a long cloak, which was typically fastened either by a brooch or an animal’s bone. It was also typical for women to wear llicllas, or shawls, as well. It is believed that while women would work throughout the day, they would use these shawls to carry infants on their backs.
It was custom for all Incans to carry with them a small pouch by their waist, which was fastened by a string around their shoulder. These pouches were used to carry foods and other necessities.
[edit] Hairstyles
Discoveries have been made about the Incan hairstyles through studying their ancient mummies. It is believed that women of this culture had very long hair that they would most typically braid. Men on the other hand, would still have relatively long hair, yet would occasionally cut it with a certain type of knife. It has been thought that certain hairstyles may distinguish one class from another.
The Incan government controlled all clothing of their society. One would receive two outfits of clothing, one formal and one casual pair, and they would then proceed to wear those same outfits until they could literally be worn no longer. Since the government was in such strict control on their clothing, the Incans could not alter their clothing without the permission of the government. For this reason, young women spent a lot of time on making their hair styles as unique and distinct as possible.
Anton, Ferdinand. Woman In Pre-Columbian America. New York, 1973 Disselhoff, Hans Dietrich. Daily Life in Ancient Peru. Munich, 1967 "dress." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2006. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 20 Sept. 2006 <http://0-search.eb.com.tiger.coloradocollege.edu:80/eb/article-14020>. [UNUSABLE LINK:"Only current students, faculty or staff of Colorado College may access restricted databases."]
