Four Andean Values

1. Reciprocity was valued for its key role in Andean culture. Because the communities in the Andes are so diverse and spread out among elevations, it is necessary for a substantial amount of networking to take place. Peoples from the jungle and coastal lowlands trade with the mountain highlands. The jungle is rich in botanical goods, which might be traded for woven goods from the highlanders, and perhaps traded further with coastal peoples in return for items from the sea. This reciprocity in practice unified all regions of the Andean empire.

2. Collectivity influences a culture to think in terms of the group, not the individual. This method of thinking was beneficial to Andean people groups because of their heirarchical nature. The vast majority of the power belonged to a handful of individuals. A collective mentality allowed for this structure to persist, as long as all the "lower" levels were provided for; by keeping the entire community in mind, the power-holders were responsible for not only themselves but also several other members. This way of thinking was crucial for the Andean people groups to persist.

3. Transformation emphasizes the cyclical nature of life rather than distinct states of being. This character of Andean thought permeated every aspect of culture, and is especially revealed in the practice of spiritual healing via shamans. Shamans were reputed to transform between human and animal likeness, bringing messages across the metamorphosis. This value especially challenges artistic expression: how can the artist blur the boundaries between different states of life while still maintaining their individual characters?

4. The essence of Andean expression is in the intention, not its mere observed value. For example, the Nasca lines only appear as a complete image from a birds-eye-view. On the ground, as observed in person, these "images" are gigantic lines, not a part of a larger complete figure. Much of other Andean art shares this trait, especially art which is created primarily for a spiritual purpose. The intention is to please gods and receive blessings, and therefore the essence of the work is most highly valued in terms of its creation.

The notion of "essence over appearance" has applications to other aspects of Andean life besides artwork; for example, while living in Cusco I learned that the city was originally planned in the shape of a puma. Pumas represent the tangible, human world in which we live in to the Incas. A spiritual site above the city, Sacsayhuman, is reputed to have its jagged nature because it represents the teeth and mouth of the puma. The essence of Sacsayhuaman is not only its belonging to the greater puma figure, but more importantly its significance in the spiritual practices of the Incas as a pilgrimage site and spiritual leader retreat. I find this notion interesting, and appreciable. I think that all art should be valued in its individual entirety, but also the greater part that it has played in the social context of which it was created.