Incaism During The Colonial Period

The term Incaism refers to the varying processes of self-identification as Inca or of having Inca origin and ancestry. This self-identification refers to a group addressing themselves as belonging to a particular culture or people as a whole. Incaism began to notably occur after the break up of the Inca Empire due to Spanish colonization mostly among groups that had no actual Inca origin. The concept of Incaism during the colonial period was predominantly an Indian “re-conceptualization of a past as Inca subjects”. Significantly Incaism has become a theme held by resistance movements since the colonial period, as well as cultural revitalization movements which are relatively “pro-indigenous.” Incaism has since
The Cañari although had a hostile relationship with the Inca to the point they “established military and political relations with the Spaniards” , readily identified themselves as being of Inca decent. It was after Saraguro was incorporated into the Inca empire and the fall of the empire due to colonization that they identified themselves as Inca. This insinuates that Spanish colonial rule leads to “widespread recognition” of Inca origin. Although among the Saraguros, there has been a growing conversation whereby it is being discussed “what it means to be an indigenous person or a Saraguro”. Incaism comes into play in that the Saraguro people feel they are experiencing a “loss of traditional ways” this leading to a conclusion that to the Saraguros retaining their traditions is essential in being able to self-identify as an indigenous person. This further highlights that “the idea of a lost tradition, of abandoned indigenous ways of life is prevalent in Saraguro”. This is being rectified in that some communities are engaging their families to speak cultural languages and partaking in the activities done by their ancestors. A particular family speaks Kichwa at home and the parents teach the kids how to weave. This ensures that the family is “not pure, but still indigenous”. This once again emphasizes that to the Saraguros, there