The Inca Empire: The Daily Life Of The Inca

Though the Inca empire was great in population, there was a difference between the daily life of an Inca and an inca subject. Incas had certain privileges that others were not allowed. They wore particular kinds of headbands and earplugs so large that it stretched out the earlobe. Inca subjects were subjected to the orders of the reigning inca king, who also claimed ownership over their land and labor rights. There were several different kinds of citizens in the inca empire. Social status was based on kinship and occupation instead of income. The Incas had the the highest social status. They included members of royal ayllus and non royal ayllus, or "inca-by-blood ', those who lived in or near Cuzco but were not related to the kings. Their ayllus were relatively lower in status. Larger groups called 'Inca-by-privilege ' were also included in the Inca

Under the leadership of these specialists, the Inca empire became a center of plant domestication. Among these were more than 20 varieties of corn and 240 varieties of potato, as well as sweet potato, squash, a variety of beans, manioc, peppers, peanuts, and quinoa. Although, the most important crop was the potato that was able to grow in heavy frosts. They were planted as high as 15,000 feet enabling the night freeze to dehydrate the plant. While alternating between freezing and defrosting, moisture was squeezed out the potato until a light flour, called chuño, was created. Corn was grown up to an altitude of 13,500 feet and was eaten fresh, prepared into a hominy, or made into an alcoholic beverage (saraiaka or chicha). The alcoholic beverage was prepared by women spitting; the corn kernels were softened this way. The saliva turned the starch into a malt sugar, becoming a dextrose and eventually converted into alcohol. Land suitable for growing crops were not unlimited. While there are general rainfall