"Chosen Women, Quechua Aclla Cuna, or Aklya Kona (“Virgins of the Sun”), in Inca religion, women who lived in temple convents under a vow of chastity. Their duties included the preparation of ritual food, the maintenance of a sacred fire, and the weaving of garments for the emperor and for ritual use. They were under the supervision of matrons called Mama Cuna. At the time of the Spanish conquest in the early 16th century, the Virgins numbered several thousand and were governed by a high priestess, the Coya Pasca, a noblewoman who was believed to be the earthly consort of the sun god. The Virgins, not of noble birth, were village girls selected by officials for their beauty and talent; they were chosen at the age of 8 or 10 and shut up in the temples, which they were not allowed to leave for six or seven years. Of these girls, some became sacrificial victims, whereas others were sometimes made imperial concubines or the wives of nobles." (Britannica, 2016)
It is truly fascinating how The practice of the Chosen Women, or the Virgins of the Sun, is such an illustrative aspect of the Inca religion and culture. While it may seem oppressive to modern sensibilities to select young girls for a lifetime of celibacy and seclusion, it is important to remember that this was a different time and culture. It is also crucial to acknowledge the agency of the young women involved, who were not merely passive victims but active participants in their own fate.
From what we know about the Inca civilization, their religion was central to their way of life. The Virgins of the Sun was an essential part of this religion, responsible for performing sacred rituals and maintaining the connection between the people and their gods. They were also highly respected and held in great esteem by society, as evidenced by the fact that they were chosen for their beauty and talent.
It is interesting to note that the Virgins were not all treated the same. While some were chosen to be sacrificial victims or concubines, others were chosen to become the wives of nobles. This suggests that there was some degree of social mobility available to them, even within the confines of their religious role. It is also worth considering the possibility that some of the Virgins may have chosen their fate willingly, seeing it as an honour and a way to serve their community.
Of course, it is impossible to ignore the fact that the Virgins were denied basic freedoms and human rights that we take for granted today. Being shut up in a temple for six or seven years, without any contact with the outside world, is undoubtedly a form of imprisonment. However, we should also remember that the Virgins were not unique in this regard - many cultures throughout history have practised forms of seclusion or segregation based on gender, class, or religion.
Ultimately, it is up to us to decide how we feel about the practice of the Chosen Women. While we may be uncomfortable with the idea of young girls being chosen for a lifetime of celibacy and seclusion, we should also try to understand the cultural and historical context in which this practice took place. We should also acknowledge the agency of the Virgins themselves and the respect and admiration they commanded within their society.
“The selection process for girls belonging to the Empire followed the same pattern as that carried out for any other taxable asset. Those captured by officials to enter the Acllahuasi could be destined for three different objectives: for the worship of the sun, for service to the Inca, or to be redistributed as gifts or donations.” (Ortiz, 2006)
According to the fragment, in the described society, women were seen as a taxable asset, suggesting that their value was measured in economic terms. The text mentions that girls were selected by officials of the Empire and destined for three different objectives, one of which was the service of the Inca, suggesting that they were used as labour and exchange objects in the political and economic relations of the Empire.
Furthermore, choosing young girls as tributes for the Empire not only objectified and devalued women, but it also had disastrous consequences for the families and communities from which they were abducted. Losing a daughter to the Empire meant losing an important family member and potentially disrupting the community's social fabric.
In the Inca Empire, women had a subordinate role in society, in which their main function was to serve the interests of the Empire rather than to develop and reach their individual potential. As a result, most women had limited access to education and other resources that would allow them to make decisions and actively participate in the Empire's social, political, and economic life.
Bibliography
- Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2016, February 15). Chosen Women. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Chosen-Women
- Ortiz, G. (2006) La mujer en la Crónica de Indias: la aclla.
Retrieved from https://shs.hal.science/halshs-00104694
No hay comentarios.:
Publicar un comentario