Quechua People

Quechua People

Quechuas (also Runakuna, Kichwas, and Ingas) is the collective term for several indigenous ethnic groups in South America who speak a Quechua language (Southern Quechua mainly), belonging to several ethnic groups in South America, especially in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia and Argentina.

The Quechuas of Ecuador call themselves as well as their language Kichwa–Kichwas or Quichuas. In Colombia, the Kichwa-speaking group calls themselves the Ingas. Other Quechua speakers call themselves Runakuna ("People"' in Junín and parts of Ancash, Peru: Nunakuna; singular: Runa or Nuna).

Some historic Quechua peoples include:

  • Inca; Tawantinsuyu Empire (largest Pre-Columbian Empire)
  • Chancas (in Huancavelica, Ayacucho, and Apurímac, Peru);
  • Huancas (in Junín, Peru; spoke Quechua before the Incas did); and
  • Cañaris (in Ecuador; adopted the Quechua language from the Inca).

Read more about Quechua People:  Historical and Sociopolitical Background, Material Culture and Social History, Examples For Recent Persecution of Quechuas, Mythology, Traditional Clothing, Further Reading On Quechua-speaking Ethnic Groups, Gallery

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