Inca record-keeping: The Khipu

Inca record-keeping: The Khipu, Aracari Travel

The Incan Khipu Record Keeping System

People living in pre-Columbian Peru did not need to use writing because they had developed other sophisticated means of keeping records, storing data and recounting stories based on textiles and cords. By the time of the Inca Empire, a device called the Khipu (also known as Quipu) had developed, a system of using knotted and coloured strings to record information. These Khipus would be carried by Inca messengers across the Empire to transmit messages and deliver important communications.

Inca record-keeping: The Khipu, Aracari Travel

Picture of a Khipu from the Khipu Database Project website

Talking Knots

The Khipu functioned in a manner whereby such details as the positioning of a knot on a cord, the number of revolutions of thread on a cord, the shade of colour of a cord and so forth would represent different numbers, words, ideas and sometimes even whole concepts. In conjunction with this, there was a strong oratory tradition in which stories and legends would be passed down from generation to generation by word of mouth, often assisted by a Khipu.

Reading a Khipu

Unfortunately today, it is not known exactly how to “read” Khipus. During the conquest of the Incas the Spanish burned many Kuipus dismissing them as primitive, heretic and against the bible and the word of god; there are only around 600 that survive to this day. The Spanish found it perplexing that such a device could hold detailed information. The last person to have been able to interpret Kuipus is thought to have died only relatively recently, in the 1930’s, and tragically nobody thought it worthwhile to learn their skill!

Academic Studies of Khipus

Gary Urton of Harvard University has enacted detailed studies into interpreting the few Khipus that remain. Such studies reveal that there might be a tremendous amount of information held within Khipus, everything from Inca Empire census data and bookkeeping to astronomical data and interpretations of the cosmos. To find out more, visit the comprehensive Khipu Database Project website.

 

Related Post
Peru Luxury Hotels: Aracari review of Hotel Rio Sagrado Hotel Rio Sagrado in Peru Photo by Orient Express Location: Urubamba Valley Having recently had two of their properties voted amongst the best i...
Discover the Best Restaurants in Lima Best Restaurant in Latin America: Maido  Not only one of the best restaurants in Lima, Peruvian-Japanese fusion restaurant Maido triumphed on the cul...
The Cordillera Blanca Santa Cruz Trek The Cordillera Blanca is one of the most impressive mountain ranges in Peru and arguably South America with 20 peaks that reach over 6,000m in altitud...
Improving the lives of Andean communities: Living Heart NGO Aracari prides itself in unveiling the most authentic aspects of Peruvian culture and it has always been important for us to establish close links wit...
Ecuadorian haciendas in the spotlight Aracari's favorite Ecuadorian Haciendas National Geographic Traveler's April 2009 edition places a spotlight on our two favorite Ecuadorian Haciendas...
Urban Eats by night: Cusco Culinary Tour Aracari's head of marketing Caroline checks out our Cusco Culinary Tour - Urban Eats by night. Peru has an international reputation for the variety...