The Inca Mummies Or Mallquis: Power Beyond Life

Mallquis, also known as mummies, represent mummified bodies of Inca rulers during the height of the Tawantinsuyo empire, especially in its last periods. These remarkable individuals were meticulously cared for by designated women, while their spokespersons, two people of different genders, were in charge of communicating the mallqui's wishes. This mummified entity was considered not only as a vestige of the past, but also as a living being that maintained a substantial political influence in the Inca State.

The Incas and their representation beyond the living world

The Incas, the highest expression of the Tawantinsuyo State, comparable to European monarchs, transcended their mere political role, acquiring religious and symbolic connotations that elevated them to an almost divine representation, persistent even after their earthly life. This conception not only marked a milestone in the spiritual sphere, but also had a profound influence on the political and economic spheres of the Inca civilization.

Considered as deities that walked on the earthly plane, the Incas were proclaimed as descendants of the Sun, the supreme deity of the Tawantinsuyo. By assuming the role of sovereigns, they adopted expansion strategies, including the creation of representations in the form of duplicates. These representations took the form of gold statuettes adorned with hair and nails of the Inca himself, considered as huacas or sacred objects. The divine status of the Inca was manifested in the meticulous care of his person, both in his personal hygiene and his diet.

Despite the extreme dedication to their care, the Incas maintained a good physical condition, avoiding obesity. The management of their appearance was delegated to a hereditary family in charge of cutting the Inca's hair and nails over generations. These exclusive caretakers guaranteed the cleanliness and maintenance of the Inca, allowing him to change his clothing daily, even more than three times on some occasions.

However, this intensive care was applied only after receiving the mascaypacha. During their education, the Incas shared training with the elite, participating in ceremonies that marked their transition to adulthood and warrior status. The election of the next Inca, fundamental to the destiny of the state, fell to the last Inca regent. This process was based on the selection among the sons of different women of the Inca. In the succession of Huáscar and Atahualpa, neither of them was the obvious choice, provoking a contest between the two. In addition, their youth was a factor, although less influential, in the decline and confrontation between the brothers.

The mallquis or mummies

According to recent research, it has been discovered that it was the Inca Pachacutec who started the tradition of the mallquis or mummies. This fact is supported by chronicles that relate his experience during the battle against the Chancas, where they observed that the latter carried their mummified ancestors on platforms. It is probable that Pachacutec adopted this practice, influenced by the custom of carrying the deities to war, a common practice in the Andean world.

Although the mallquis or mummies did not participate directly in the battles, they fulfilled a fundamental function. The conversion of the body of the deceased Inca into a mallqui ensured his presence beyond life and in places where he would probably never have been in person. Similar function fulfilled the representations known as "doubles" or "huaques", sculptures that represented the Sapa Inca. These images were sent to all regions of Tawantisuyo, serving as an extension of the Inca himself to whom the population was to worship. Sometimes, these representations included personal elements of the Inca, such as hair, nails or clothes used in life.

After the death of the Sapa Inca, mummification took place, although the exact process is not yet fully understood. It is speculated that it involved the application of molle-based oils. It is believed that the procedure included a bath of the royal body, followed by the removal of the blood and organs, placing them on small benches with the Inca seated and arms crossed. The eyes were replaced with gold versions, and they were dressed with all the distinctives they wore in life, such as the mascaypacha, gold bracelets and elaborate woven costumes.

What social influence did the mummies or mallquis have?

As previously mentioned, upon ascending to power, the Inca Pachacutec implemented important modifications in the laws that governed Inca society. One of the most prominent changes was the provision that the previous rulers should no longer be disinterred to receive veneration. This change would explain why the first rulers did not have extensive lands or servants (yanaconas). It is estimated that the bodies of these leaders rested in the Qoricancha, representing the Hurin dynasty. The Hanan dynasty, inaugurated by Pachacutec, opened a balance of powers between the Executive, headed by the Inca and the Hanan dynasty, and the Religious, under the tutelage of the priests and the Hurin dynasty.

Consequently, the mallquis acquired a significant political relevance, since the deceased Incas maintained their dominion even after death. Heirs who ascended to the throne did not inherit the achievements of their fathers, which allowed the previous royal families to continue exercising political influence and social control. Part of the tributes and harvests continued to be sent to the family of the deceased Inca. In addition, the daughters of these royal families had the possibility of becoming possible coyas of the reigning Inca.

The mallquis actively participated in key ceremonies, religious rituals, toasts after battles and festivities, even luncheons. Food was burned in front of them, symbolizing that the mallquis consumed the food spiritually. They also intervened in the Huarachico, where they toasted with the young men who completed the ceremony to become future orejones. An outstanding festivity was the Hallamarca Raymi, dedicated to honor the dead and, of course, the mallquis.

The designated descendants of these mallquis, a man and a woman, acted as spokespersons, communicating their wishes in state decisions. Symbolically, they protected all their offspring and had influence in matters such as marriages, giving approval or disapproval. A notorious example was Huascar, who had to pay tribute to the mallqui of the Inca Yupanqui in order to marry. This gesture generated discontent among the chroniclers, since Huáscar expressed his opinion against this custom, arguing that he had to govern for the living and not for the dead, which provoked the rejection on the part of the most prominent panacas.

What record do we have of the mummies or mallquis?

1. Manco Capac: He was not mummified, instead, a fine stone figure richly decorated was used.
2. Sinchi Roca to Yahuar Waqac: Mummified with inefficient and ancient techniques, indicating a limited knowledge in the preservation of the skin from Sinchi Roca to Yahuar Waqac.
3. Beginning of Careful Mummification: The most refined practice of mummification began with Pachacutec's father, Wiracocha.
4. War of the Brothers: Atahualpa, after the war against Huáscar, opted for the burning of the mallqui of Túpac Yupanqui.
5. Tragic destinies:
   • Huáscar died murdered and was thrown into a river, without receiving a respectful funeral treatment.
   • Atahualpa, after being hanged, it is speculated that his body was sent to Quito, where he was possibly subjected to the mallqui process.
6. Post-conquest destinations: Most of the mallquis were burned, and unfortunately, some disappeared after the European conquest, erasing part of this Inca funerary legacy.