Chicha y aloja. Inkas y autoridades locales en el sector meridional del Valle del Yocavil, Catamarca, Argentina

Abstract

The Inka empire, during its expansive process, annexed several territories incorporating to its economic and political sphere a vast number of ethnic groups. In order to consummate the incorporation the inkas made use of different negotiation strategies with the local authorities, being one of the most common the organization of feasts. Yet, not always the significance of those consumed and redistributed goods during those feasts has been often analyzed in detail. Using archaeological, historical, and ethnographic evidences, this research intends to evaluate and think about the role of two beverages (beers), chicha (corn beer) and aloja (carob beer) in the construction of agreements between the Inka and local societies at southern Yocavil Valley. Both beverages belong to different cultural traditions. The first one was elaborated with corn and intimately linked to the Cuzco tradition and the Inka state political economy, whereas the aloja was used for local religious ceremonies.