Khipus, Khipu Boards, and Sacred Texts: Toward a Philology of Andean Knotted Cords

Although the knotted cord texts known as 'khipus' have been created in the Andes for over a millennium (ca. AD 950–1950), their historical philology has been little understood. This study, based on original archival and ethnographic research, analyzes hybrid khipu/alphabetic texts known as...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Sabine Hyland, Sarah Bennison, William P. Hyland
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Latin American Studies Association 2021-06-01
Series:Latin American Research Review
Online Access:https://larrlasa.org/articles/1032
Description
Summary:Although the knotted cord texts known as 'khipus' have been created in the Andes for over a millennium (ca. AD 950–1950), their historical philology has been little understood. This study, based on original archival and ethnographic research, analyzes hybrid khipu/alphabetic texts known as “khipu boards,” examining their development in colonial Peru, and their role in twentieth-century Andean rituals. Particular attention is paid to a previously unknown sacred manuscript, the Entablo, from the community of San Pedro de Casta, Peru, which describes how villagers used khipu boards in their annual religious ceremonies until the 1950s. This study reveals new insights into the social and symbolic nature of post-Inka khipus as texts, particularly with reference to gender, place, and knowledge.   Resumen Aunque los cordones anudados conocidos como “khipus” se han creado en los Andes durante más de un milenio (ca. 850–1950), su filología histórica ha sido poco entendida. Basado en una investigación etnográfica y de archivo original, este estudio analiza textos híbridos khipu/alfabéticos conocidos como “khipu tabla”, examinando su desarolla en el Perú colonial y su papel en los rituales andinos del siglo XX. Se presta especial atención a un manuscrito sagrado previamente desconocido, el Entablo, de la comunidad de San Pedro de Casta, Perú, que describe cómo los aldeanos usaban las khipu tablas en sus ceremonias religiosas anuales hasta la década de 1950. Este estudio revela nuevas ideas sobre la naturaleza social y simbólica del post-Inka khipus como textos, particularmente con referencia al género, el lugar, y el conocimiento.
ISSN:1542-4278