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A kuraka (Quechua for the principal governor of a province or a communal authority in the Tawantinsuyu)〔Teofilo Laime Ajacopa, Diccionario Bilingüe Iskay simipi yuyayk'ancha, La Paz, 2007 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)〕〔Diccionario Quechua - Español - Quechua, Academía Mayor de la Lengua Quechua, Gobierno Regional Cusco, Cusco 2005 (Quechua-Spanish dictionary)〕 was an official of the Inca Empire who held the role of magistrate, about 4 levels down from the Sapa Inca, the head of the Empire. The ''kurakas'' were the heads of the ''ayllus'' (clan-like family units). They served as tax collector, and held religious authority, in that they mediated between the supernatural sphere and the mortal realm. They were responsible for making sure the spirit world blessed the mortal one with prosperity, and were held accountable should disaster strike, such as a drought. ''Kurakas'' enjoyed privileges such as being exempt from taxation, the right to polygamy and to ride in a litter. The ''kuraka'' was an aristocrat who frequently, but not always, descended from the previous generation. ''Kuraka'' means 'superior' or 'principal', and his authority was granted by the Inca. Each ''ayllu'' actually had four ''kurakas'': upper and lower (hanan and hurin), and each of these had an assistant. However, of the four, one ''kuraka'' was still superior to the rest. ==Magisterial Authority== One of the functions of the ''kurakas'' was to choose a bride for adult males, aged 25 and over, who could not choose, or had not chosen, a wife. The ''kurakas'' could also decide, in the event two men wanted to marry the same woman, which man would be allowed to marry. The ''kurakas'' also dealt with minor crimes, but had to refer major crimes to the provincial capital. Among other duties, the ''kurakas'' settled disputes, allocated agricultural lands, organized community events, and officiated ceremonies. ==Spanish conquest== The ''kurakas'' suffered a transformation during the first years of Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire. Although they continued to be the chiefs of the people and ayllus, they were no longer the ethnic traditional chiefs they had been in pre-Columbian times. The ''kurakas'' ceased to control the communal administration and no longer had the workforce or human energy necessary for the making of redistribution networks. The ''kurakas'' were no longer elected (as they were in pre-Hispanic times), but were chosen by the chief magistrate. This exposed them to the fury of the people when the taxes were too great, and to the displeasure of the chief magistrate. ==References== 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Kuraka」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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