Women of the Inca Empire: Mystics, Warriors, and Queens

The Inca Empire, known as Tawantinsuyu, was one of the largest and most complex civilizations in the pre-Columbian Americas. While much of the historical spotlight has focused on its male rulers, warriors, and builders, women were indispensable to the empire’s foundation and function. In Inca society, women were not merely passive participants—they held defined roles, spiritual significance, and influence that touched every layer of daily life, from family structure to imperial politics.

At the heart of Inca civilization was the concept of dualism—an idea that balance and harmony were achieved through the union of opposites. This worldview extended into gender roles. Men and women were seen as complementary rather than unequal. Each had specific duties and spheres of influence, which were both respected and ritualized. For instance, while men might manage external affairs like agriculture or warfare, women oversaw domestic life, weaving, food production, and healing—tasks considered vital to the health and continuation of society.