What's up with all the Inca?!

We've seen it all--Inca tours, Inca laundry, Inca masajes? Everywhere you go, you can find at least 5 different services named "Inca," but why? As we've discussed in class, we know that not everyone in the city of Cusco is a direct descendant of Inca royalty or blood. So why do we see everyone and everything forging a connection to the Incas?

One possible explanation could be the close connection between the Quechua and the Inca. Many native Cusqueños we have met speak both Quechua and Spanish, although the former was their first language. We also know that Quechua was the language of the Incan empire. Perhaps this shows that in an effort to maintain their culture, history, and language, Cusqueños maintain the connection between modern Cusco-Quechua and ancient Inca.

Perhaps it is a mechanism to benefit the tourist industry--after all, how does an Inca laundry service maintain any cultural connections? People all around the world have learned about the ancient and powerful Incan empire, and accordingly may take a trip to visit the ruins of the empire in Peru. Many people visit knowing little about the actual history and culture of the empire, and ultimately leave with little more knowledge. So when tourists see things labeled Inca--Inca laundry, tours, hotels--they may be more inclined to use those services over others under the assumption that it provides a greater cultural experience.

Other than the language connection, it's possible that Cusqueños desire to keep the Incan empire around as much as possible, a way to preserve history. Because of how much ancient history was destroyed during Spanish conquest, little is known to be 100% true about Inca history or culture. Perhaps Cusqueños keep the name "Inca" as a way to make sure that their origin isn't completely erased.

Either way, the importance of the Incan empire cannot be lost on us, and the town of Cusco makes sure of that. Whether as a way to preserve language, history, or tourism, we can see the importance of the Incas on Cusco even today.