It may be surprising that Inca people never invented any sorts of writing. Though there was Quipu, but they never read or wrote any book or any writings. So there education system was not a conventional one. Still they had established an education system. Their educational system did not cover general people. It was only for some specific peoples. Sons of the Inca nobles, sons of the kings of conquered peoples and virgins of the suns went to schools for four years.
Boys
Sons of the nobles received Quechua language training on the first year of their at school at Cusco. In the second year they were taught Inca religion. Next year they learnt Quipu. Quipu was the only tools in those days to keep records of population and foods. So considerable amount of time was spent on Quipu. In fourth year they learnt Inca history. During their school days these students also learnt physical training and military techniques.
Since they had no script to write or read, the education system was based on listening and memorizing. Teachers were called Amautas. They taught their student by practice, repetition and experience.
Girls
Training for the girls were different. Not that all the girls got the chance to go to the schools. The girls with talent and beauty were chosen form the villages. They were named as virgin of the sun. They were given training on the art of spinning , weaving, cooking, chicha-making, and religion. They also went to school for four years.
Graduation
At the age of sixteen after four years in the schools, boys became ready to graduate. But it was not easy to pass this hurdle. They had to go through a series of difficult tests. They had to go through boxing, wrestling, running, fighting and other difficult physical tasks.
School and University
In thirteenth century Inca Sinchi Roca established a school at Cusco. The men who taught in this schools were philosophers, amautas and poets. Since they had no writing systems the teachers spoke and the students listened.
School for boys were called in quechua, while schools for girls were called Yachaywasi. General people never got the chance to go to this schools.
Quipu
Incas developed a system of accounting, where from a series of chords and with knots of different color a various thickness they kept exact records of different transactions.
The Incas showed a genius for government and administration that was rare in pre Hispanic America.
Origin of Inca
Still nobodies know where the Incas had come from, or how long they had been around. There were many legends on which to base rough guesses. Check Peru Travel Diary for more information.
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