Chanka

The Chanka were a farming people of Andahuaylas and the Ayacucho highlands of Peru, whose chiefdoms formed a loose confederation. Their rulers were two chiefs, the Uscovilca of the Hanan Chanka and the Ancovilca of the Urin Chanka, and the cult of the ancestors gave this religion its name.

The Chanka said they came from two lakes in what is now Huancavelica. Uscovilca was said to be preserved as a mummy that was venerated at the capital Huaman Karpa until Inca times. Warriors carried the mummies of their grandfathers on their shoulders into battle, painted their faces and shrieked as they fought, and their god was a feline.

In 1438 the Chanka attacked Cusco and were defeated by the Inca prince Cusi Yupanqui, who later became Pachacuti. The Hurin Chanka submitted to the Incas.