Ayarmaca

The Ayarmaca were a highland chiefdom that emerged from the ruins of the Wari culture around the thirteenth century north and northwest of Cusco. With the neighboring Pinagua they formed a confederated lordship feared by the small Inca polity of Cusco.

The early Incas Sinchi Roca and Lloque Yupanqui fought long wars against them, and the death of the Ayarmaca warlord Tocay Capac in battle gave Cusco breathing room. The confederacy recovered and later sealed a marriage alliance with Capac Yupanqui, while another warlord, Tokay Qhapaq, carried off the child who would rule as Yawar Waqaq, whose name recalls the tears of blood he wept in captivity.

The Ayarmacas joined the revolts against Viracocha Inca and later sided with the Chanka against Cusco; their final rebellion in the 1460s was crushed by Pachacuti, who incorporated their lands into the Inca Empire.