LAKE TITICACA

By Alexandria

Lake Titicaca which lies in the Andes Mountains on the Bolivian Altiplano between the eastern and western cordillera, is the highest navigable lake in the world at an altitude of 12,506 feet (3810m). The Lake is 177 km (110mi) long and has an average width of 56 km (35mi). Covering an area of about 8,300 km2 (3200 mi2), it is fed by more than 25 tributaries and drained by the Rio Desaguadero (which is currently being dammed). A small southeastern basin called Uinamarca is linked with the northwestern part, Chucuito, by the narrow Strait of Tiquina. Chucuito has a maximum depth of about 280 m. (920 ft), which keeps the waters at an annual average temperature of 11 deg C (51 deg F). It is for this reason that it is possible to grow crops such as corn and potatoes at such a high altitude. Two species of fish are indigenous to the lake, killfish and catfish as well as the introduced trucha, or trout.

Pre-Columbian culture occupied the shores of the lake from about 100 AD to perhaps 1000 AD. Within Tiahuanaco's ruins archaeologists have labeled six architectural complexes, all of which were used for religious ceremonies. The most important structure, the Kalasasaya, is near the center of the site; the Subterranean Temple lies to the east, and the enclosures of Putuni. Laka Kollu, and Q'eri Kala are on the west. The Kalasasaya, a large, enclosed platform, is the site of the famous Gate of the Sun, at the center of which is a figure wearing a radiating headdress and carrying a staff in each hand. At the center of the Subterranean Temple stood the 7.3 m-tall (22 ft) Bennett Stele (named for its discoverer), which shows a figure in head dress carrying a large beaker in one hand and a shell in the other. Settled since prehistoric times by Aymara Indians, the shores of the lake remain densely populated.

Lake Titicaca Map

The Uros Islands, Lake Titicaca
The floating Islands of the Uros people of Lake Titicaca are formed from compacted beds of totora reeds. Walking on these spongy, unstable islands is a strange experience. The reeds are also used to construct huts and boats. It is believed that the Uros people originally took to the reed islands of Lake Titicaca in an effort to isolate themselves from other groups such as the Incas. The traditional method of building boats from buoyant totora reeds is maintained on the Uros Islands. These boats called balsas are primarily used for fishing. These boats were sometimes affixed with sails, also made from reeds. The use of these boats today has now become obsolete, and are only used as a tourist attraction.

 

Some 35 km (21 miles) from Puno is Sillustani, with its circular burial towers or chullpas overlooking Lake Umayo. The age of the funeral towers, which are up to 12 meters (40 feet) high, remains a puzzle. A Spanish chronicle-keeper described them as "recently finished" in 1549, although some still appear as if they were never completed and the Indians that built them were conquered by the Incas about a century earlier. The chullpas apparently were used as burial chambers for nobles of the Colla civilization; these were Indians who spoke Aymara, had architecture considered more complicated than that of the Incas and who buried their nobility with their entire family.

Inca History & Legends.
Once upon a time conditions were bad and the people of the earth did not know how to live -- they were disorganized and didn't know how to cultivate the land. The Sun God upon seeing them suffer felt pity. To help them, he sent his children Manco Capac, the first Inca, and Mama Ocllo to the earth from the foam of Lake Titicaca. They were siblings as well as man and wife. They were instructed to build a city wherever Manco Capac's gold wand would enter the earth. They traveled very far before they reached the Huanacauri mountain, in the valley of Cuzco, where the gold wand finally entered the earth. There they founded the capital and the Temple of the Sun in honor of their Father the Sun.

According to Incan mythology, Manco Capac and Mama 0cllo, also known as Mama Huaca, emerged from the depths of Lake Titicaca on the sacred rock gate on Isla Del Sol to found the Inca Empire. The sister island Isla de la Luna is not as well visited but is also a holy place as it housed the convent of the virgins of the sun. The entire lake was a holy place. Also connected with the legend of Lake Titicaca is the Lemurian Solar Disc which governed the thousand year cycle of Incan time. According to legend, when the Spanish forces reached Cuzco, the Incas took the two-ton gold chain of Inca Huascar from the temple at Koricancha and threw it into the lake. It has never been found.

Manco Capac was recognized as the king and Inca of the valley. His mission was to teach men to work metals, make tools, plow and sow the earth, make their houses and defend their families, and Mama Occlo's mission was to teach women to cook, raise children and make beautiful textiles and clothing. They lived happily many years in their new kingdom. When Manco Capac died his son Sinchi Roca became his successor. There were fourteen Incas in total. When the natives saw the Europeans they welcomed them because they thought they were gods. This marked the end the Inca empire.

Quechua Monarchs
I Manco Capac (XI and XII century) - founder of the Incari; raised the Inticancha (Temple of the Sun)
II Sinchi Roca - first sovereign to use a mascapaicha (headdress or crown)
III Lloque Yupanqui - conquered neighboring territories
IV Mayta Capac - known for his Herculean strength; prepared the first military expedition to conquer the faraway land of the Condesuyos but died without realizing the conquest
V Capac Yupanqui - was attacked by the Condesuyos but succeeded in vanquishing them; conquered new territories and on returning to Cusco after his victories was assassinated by the partisans of Inca Roca
VI Inca Roca - crushed the remaining partisans of Capac Yupanqui; abandoned the Inticancha in the Hurin Cusco y (or lower Cusco) and constructed his own palace in the Hana Cusco (or lower Cusco)
VII Yahuar Huacac - stolen as a child by the Ayarmacas; legend has it that he cried tears of blood which frightened his captors who then returned him safe and sound to Cusco; was assassinated by the Condesuyos
VIII Yahuar Inca
IX Huiracocha - fled with his son, the prince Inca Urco, when the Chancas marched upon Cusco; his other son, Cusi Yupanki, personally fought and killed the leader of the Chancas and put his decapitated head at the top of a lance, thus frightening the remaining Chancas away; victory secured, Huiracocha put his protected son Inca Urco to lead the victory parade. Enraged, Cusi Yupanki murdered his brother, became prince and from then on was given his new name: Pachacutec
X Pachacutec (1438-1471) - a political genius, perhaps "the greatest man the aboriginal race of America ever produced"; went from being a king to becoming an Emperor, and transformed his reign into an Empire; creator of the Empire of the Tahuantinsuyo; edified Sacsahuaman; fathered 300 sons and daughters
XI Tupac Yupanqui (1471-1493) - military genius; realized all of his fathers conquests when General of his armies; invited reign by and with his father for a while; completed Sacsahuaman
XII Huayna Capac (1493-1528) - fought back revolts in Chile, Tucuman, Chacnorth of Chile and the south of Peru) and Yunga (on the coast)