Mamacona

Certain privileges of Mamaconas is that they could become priestess along with other Incan noble women. Mamacona were used as teachers to educate the younger girls on what it means to be a ” bride of the sun”. For example the the duties, rituals and behavior they performed for Inti and the realm. When the Spanish invaded the need for the mamaconas diminished as did the sacrificing and gathering of the Acllas did. In comparison with today I believe the Mamaconas are most like the nuns whom educate the children in the Catholic schools of today (p.143.McEwan).

The Mamaconas distributed balls of bread baked in blood of animals sacrificed in religious ceremonies. This behavior was used as a token of political bonds and their loyalty to the Sun and Inca and was a crucial role played by the Mamaconas, because it was an Inca political strategy used to strengthen the bonds between Cuzco and the provinces (p.189.Abbott) .

this depicts a Mamacona educating two acllas

One job of the Mamaconas was to educate the younger Acllas. Specific examples from class would be that their was no schooling or formal education except for the chosen women and this was informal education. These women because of their raised rank were very privileged in society.

 

Sources:

A History of Celibacy By Elizabeth Abbott

The Incas: New Perspectives by Gordon McEwan

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