Mita (Inca)

Mita (from the Quechua " work shift, hours of work ", or " season " in Southern Quechua mit'a ) was the Inca period a system of tribute performance through work, which was later continued by the Spaniards in the Viceroyalty of Peru in intensified form.

The service providers were as Mitayuq ( Quechua, " the film have " Hispanicized mitayo ) refers.

The mita was in Inca times and probably even before a public service obligation. The Incas took the Mita for major projects such as the construction of roads and military service. Idols of the conquered peoples were allowed out of the Cusco and so ensure the performance of the Mita by the subjugated. The Mitayuq received no wages, but were only cared for by the state. Be distinguished from the Mita system are the displacements made ​​by the Incas ( going to participate ), which served to protect the Inca domination and the prevention of resistance ( Quechua for evacuees: mitmaq ).

The Spaniards introduced the system first for those indigenous one that belonged to no encomienda. In fact, a significant part of the population was forced into the Mita from the villages. Although the system was formally strictly regulated, the workers were exploited with great losses, especially in the mines, such as the silver mines in Potosi.