INCA LIFE

One of the most important aspects of the Inca daily life was the ayllu. The ayllu was a group of families that worked a portion of land together. They shared most of their belongings with each other just like a larger family. Everyone in the Inca Empire was a member of an ayllu. Once a person was born into an ayllu, they remained part of that ayllu their entire life.

What was an ayllu in the society of the Inca Empire?

• The king or emperor of the Inca

• A group of families that worked a portion of land together

• An area of land worked by the peasants for the king

• A long skirt worn by Inca women

Daily Life of a Peasant

The daily life of a peasant in the Inca Empire was full of hard work. The only time peasants were allowed not to work was during religious festivals. Other than that, they were expected to be working when they were not sleeping. Most of the peasant men worked as farmers. They didn't own their own farms, but worked land owned by the government. They also had to pay taxes to the government. The women worked hard at the home during the day. They cooked, made clothes, and took care of the children. Most girls were married by the time they were twelve years old.

When was the only time that peasants did not have to work?

• On the weekends

• During their vacation days

• They got every other day off from work

• During religious festivals

Daily Life of a Peasant

The daily life of a peasant in the Inca Empire was full of hard work. The only time peasants were allowed not to work was during religious festivals. Other than that, they were expected to be working when they were not sleeping. Most of the peasant men worked as farmers. They didn't own their own farms, but worked land owned by the government. They also had to pay taxes to the government. The women worked hard at the home during the day.

What job did most of the Inca peasant men have?

• Farmers

• Artisans

• Warriors

• Fisherman

Daily Life of a Noble

The Inca nobles lived a much easier lifestyle. They still had to work, but had important jobs in the government. They could own land and didn't have to pay taxes.

True or False: The nobles had to pay taxes, but the peasants did not.

• True

• False

In what kind of houses did they live?

 Most of the people lived in adobe brick homes with thatched roofs. The homes were mostly single story with one room. There was typically very little furniture in the homes, just some baskets for storing things, thin mats to sleep on, and a stove.

What were the homes of the Inca made with?

• Stone

• Wood Logs

• Wooden Planks

• Adobe Bricks

Did the kids go to school?

Only the wealthy children went to school. Peasant children began to work when they were still young and only learned the craft or skill that would be their job for the rest of their lives.

True or False: Peasant children went to school along side the wealthy children.

• True

• False

Children's lives in Inca?

Only the wealthy children went to school. Peasant children began to work when they were still young and only learned the craft or skill that would be their job for the rest of their lives. Children were not watched over like they are in most societies today. They were left alone throughout the day. Parents didn't hug or coddle their children. The mother would feed and clean the child, and then leave it to itself.

Which of the following best describes how peasant children were treated?

• They were watched over all day by nurses in a preschool

• They were left to care for themselves

• Their mothers carried them around all day in a cradleboard

• Most children were very spoiled and hugged by their parents

What people ate depended a lot on where they lived. Corn, squash, and beans were the main staples of their diet, but they ate other things as well including tomatoes, peppers, fish, and ducks. In general, the people ate well and were taken care of. If someone couldn't work or was too old to work on the fields, the government took care of them and made sure they had enough food.

True or False: Elderly people and people who couldn't work were usually left outside to starve.

• True

• False

Many people had to pay their taxes through labor. They worked for the government as soldiers, builders, or farmers in order to pay their taxes. The government had inspectors that would keep an eye on the commoners. They even checked to see if the people were keeping their house clean and tidy. Most commoners were not allowed to travel within the empire. Only the rich and government officials were allowed to travel.

True or False: The Inca government had inspectors that kept an eye on the people making sure they were working and keeping their houses clean.

• True

• False

Most of the peasant men worked as farmers. They didn't own their own farms, but worked land owned by the government. They also had to pay taxes to the government. The women worked hard at the home during the day. They cooked, made clothes, and took care of the children. Most girls were married by the time they were twelve years old.

The Inca nobles lived a much easier lifestyle. They still had to work, but had important jobs in the government.

Most girls were married by the age of ______.

• 21

• 12

• 14

• 27