Reflections on Inca Wisdom

Above: Inca archaeological remains of Saqsaywaman

The ancient Inca empire that once ruled (parts of) the Andean regions of modern-day Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia and Chile might have deserved the evil label for the conquests of 200+ varied cultures and languages of these communities but credit must go to them for the innovations they had put in place in their 95-year rule of the Andes - most importantly in architectural and agricultural engineering. Considering the geographic challenges of the Andes and the 15th century times of non-motorized tools, they were still able to create efficient and effective processes to quarry huge boulders, break them apart using the forces of the elements and subsequently move them to the intended final destinations to be assembled intricately in lock-patterns that could withstand (most) earthquakes - it was all so brilliant!

Above: Symmetrical foundation - walls lean inwards to withstand earthquakes

Above: Huge rocks of different shapes and sizes - intelligently bonded together by the Incas

The Incas believed in the values of reciprocity, collaboration, and collectivism - ideologies we are familiar with and which the modern business world increasingly promotes in their quest for business innovation. With these values, the rulers were able to get thousands of men in group rotations to work on the building of temples and prominent structures. There were no slaves or other forms of forced labo(u)r. The Inca rulers gave the indigenous people land to work on (and they were free to keep their produce) but in return the men must work for the Incas in periodic constructions. Everyone must contribute in some shape or form - whether it was to tear the husks from the corns (for the elderly) or to weave clothing (for the women).

The Incas also believed in the interconnectivity of the mystic forces of mother earth, father sun and land water in agriculture planning. Understanding the elements and learning astronomy (e.g. to accurately predict sunrises/sets and winter/summer solstices to prepare for a new agricultural season) were important knowledge the Incas tried to inculcate in their young. An extension of this harmony-with-nature belief was the reverence placed in these animals - condor, puma and snake, which symbolically represented the air, land and under-ground life respectively.

While I do not share the same belief in these animals, I do find the Inca's respect of the elements refreshing, especially in the current dismal state of the world's financial and economic health. I reflected on the relevance of material wealth and status of the modern and commercial world. Currently, many people in the U.S., Asia and Europe are upset to have lost a substantial chunk of their investments; and there are others who are worried-sick about (keeping) their jobs and maintaining a comfortable and familiar lifestyle in this distress state of the global economy.

Here in the Andes after years of Inca influence, the indigenous, though poor by modern measures, are happily self-sufficient and do not share the same financial worries of those in the modern world. Although tourism plays a large part in their livelihood, I suspect that they are going to be just fine even when tourism dissipates to trickle numbers. Who are we to say that our lifestyle is better than theirs? It is true of the saying, "the best things in life are free" - appreciate mother nature, "less is more", keep on learning and love whole-heartedly.