essay

Out of many, one: the organization of rule in the north coast polities

northern dynasties : kingship and statecraft in chimor: a symposium at dumbarton oaks, 12th and 13th october 1985 • Washington, D.C. • Published In 1990 • Pages: 461-487

By: Netherly, Patricia.

Abstract

In this historiography of oral traditions, it is recognized that Andeans were more interested in reaffirming or redefining the rights of a person or group than presenting an actual genealogy; something to consider in studying accounts of the Naymlap or Taycanamo dynasties. Nevertheless, Colonial era administrative and legal documents can be used to explore indigenous socio-political organization of the north coast. At every level of administration, polities were grouped as ranked moieties (dual division) such that no individual could have power over the whole society and lords had to negotiate with their co-rulers. Documents for Chicama list eighteen lords, suggesting that there were six levels of organization in that valley when the Chimu were in power. The Naymlap and Taycanamo myths are examined for what may have been omitted. Two early encomienda grants from the Moche Valley are found to be useful, along with evidence of the locations of Chimu canals, for exploring socio-political divisions of the Chimu in the Moche Valley under the Inka. How dual political power may have been expressed at Chan Chan through time is also considered. It is noted that the Chimu state did not have an independent class of bureaucrats. Bureaucratic administration took place within groups beneath a lord, who in turn depended upon another lord. Because of co-rule and nesting allegiances, lords could move up or down the hierarchy as the Chimu Empire grew or shrank.

HRAF PubDate

2015

Region

South America

Sub Region

Central Andes

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Types

Ethnohistorian

Archaeologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2014

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1100-400 BP (AD 900-1600 )

Coverage Place

north and central coast, Peru

Notes

Patricia Netherly

Includes bibliographical references (p. 484-487)

LCCN

89023336

LCSH

Chimu Indians--Politics and government--Congresses

Chimu Indians--Antiquities--Congresses

Chan Chan Site (Peru)--Congresses

Peru--Antiquities--Congresses