THE SENSE OF THE END OF THE WORLD: ETHICAL FOUNDATION OF INCA SOCIETY

Abstract

This paper reflects on the notion of the end of the world or Pacha-kutiy, an idea conceived as a general misfortune in ancient Peru. It symbolizes cosmological, telluric, and anthropic changes, past and present; this sign links God, man, and the world. This study aims to interpret the different forms of Pacha-kutiy that, as a numinous crises model, the political, religious, and vital behavior of the Quechuan man. The texts mention that this entity unfolded in seven modalities and its presence materialized in linguistic categories. Hermeneutics directed the understanding of colonial documents and the reconstruction of the meanings of the mythological story. For this purpose, some Inca myths of the 16th century were interpreted, supported by the analysis of the native languages' vocabularies. The reflection contemplates three parts; the first one studies the meaning of some Quichuan categories; the second one shows the seven conceptions of Pacha-kutiy; the final one alludes to the current implications. The study showed the link between the meaning of Pacha-kutiy, the idea of punishment, the rules of coexistence, and the possibilities of Inca existence, traces that still survive.