Inka Constellations

This chapter explores some of the principal astronomical constellations of the Inkas. Information about these constellations was gathered from Spanish chronicals and frrom the oral traditions of Quechua speakers in the Coordillera de los Andes, primarily at locations such as Qosqo, Apurimaq, Ayacucho, Puno, the Altiplano. Also, the Sacred Valley, Qurawasi, and Paucartambo which are the places where author Milton’s grandparents and parents were born and the area where he lives today. Milton learned about many of the constellations through oral traditions that were passed down to him before he ever read about them. The chronicals say where some of the constellations are in the sky. But by growing up here, by knowing the traditions, and by understanding and experiencing the worldview of the Inkas, Milton has gathered information otherwise lost due to the Spaniards (Fig. 9.1).