Subject indicators and the decipherment of genre on Andean khipus

Sabine P. Hyland

doi:10.1353/anl.2020.0004

Subject indicators and the decipherment of genre on Andean khipus

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

This article analyzes how khipus, Andean knotted cords for communication, indicated their subject matter. Spanish chroniclers attested to the existence of different genres of khipus; however, scholars have not known how or if khipus indicated the genre of data they stored. Ethnographic testimony reveals that needlework bundles—kaytes—attached to primary cords served as subject indicators. This article surveys post-Inka kaytes, examining one from colonial Huarochirí through an interdisciplinary methodology that provides a model for kayte interpretation. This new evidence about subject indicators supports the hypothesis that khipus encoded information through hierarchical levels of significance, and furthers decipherment.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	137-158
Journal	Anthropological Linguistics
Volume	62
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1353/anl.2020.0004
Publication status	Published - 22 Nov 2021

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10.1353/anl.2020.0004

Hyland_2020_AL_SubjectIndicators_AAM
Copyright © 2021 Trustees of Indiana University. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837387
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https://muse.jhu.edu/article/837387

Hidden Texts of the Andes: Hidden Texts of the Andes: Deciphering the "Khipus" (Cord Writing) of Peru
Hyland, S. P. (PI) & Koulouri, M. (Student)
The Leverhulme Trust
1/06/17 → 26/09/20
Project: Standard

Cite this

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title = "Subject indicators and the decipherment of genre on Andean khipus",

abstract = "This article analyzes how khipus, Andean knotted cords for communication, indicated their subject matter. Spanish chroniclers attested to the existence of different genres of khipus; however, scholars have not known how or if khipus indicated the genre of data they stored. Ethnographic testimony reveals that needlework bundles—kaytes—attached to primary cords served as subject indicators. This article surveys post-Inka kaytes, examining one from colonial Huarochir{\'i} through an interdisciplinary methodology that provides a model for kayte interpretation. This new evidence about subject indicators supports the hypothesis that khipus encoded information through hierarchical levels of significance, and furthers decipherment.",

author = "Hyland, {Sabine P.}",

note = "This research was funded by grants from the National Geographic Society (GEFNE120-14); by the Leverhulme Trust (RPG-2017-065); and by a Fellowship from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation.",

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N2 - This article analyzes how khipus, Andean knotted cords for communication, indicated their subject matter. Spanish chroniclers attested to the existence of different genres of khipus; however, scholars have not known how or if khipus indicated the genre of data they stored. Ethnographic testimony reveals that needlework bundles—kaytes—attached to primary cords served as subject indicators. This article surveys post-Inka kaytes, examining one from colonial Huarochirí through an interdisciplinary methodology that provides a model for kayte interpretation. This new evidence about subject indicators supports the hypothesis that khipus encoded information through hierarchical levels of significance, and furthers decipherment.

AB - This article analyzes how khipus, Andean knotted cords for communication, indicated their subject matter. Spanish chroniclers attested to the existence of different genres of khipus; however, scholars have not known how or if khipus indicated the genre of data they stored. Ethnographic testimony reveals that needlework bundles—kaytes—attached to primary cords served as subject indicators. This article surveys post-Inka kaytes, examining one from colonial Huarochirí through an interdisciplinary methodology that provides a model for kayte interpretation. This new evidence about subject indicators supports the hypothesis that khipus encoded information through hierarchical levels of significance, and furthers decipherment.

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DO - 10.1353/anl.2020.0004

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SP - 137

EP - 158

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ER -

Subject indicators and the decipherment of genre on Andean khipus

Abstract

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Hidden Texts of the Andes: Hidden Texts of the Andes: Deciphering the "Khipus" (Cord Writing) of Peru

Cite this