Meaning of Titicaca

Lake Titicaca is located in the territories of Peru and Bolivia. A place where tourists visit it for its history, ancestral culture and the natural beauty that surrounds it. It is a lake that is fed by 13 main rivers. The maximum depth of Titicaca reaches 283 meters. In addition, the lake is a closed basin with an ellipsoidal shape, but that's not all, it keeps a secret in the meaning of its name.

• In Aymara, “Titi means Puma and “K'aca” means Rock. Together they form “Puma de roca”, in reference to a sculpture carved on the Island of the Sun.
• In Puquina, “Titi” means Sun.
• In Quechua, “Qaqa” means Rock or Hill. Together they form “Rock of the Sun”, linked to the temple dedicated to the Sun God.

But what attracts even more attention are its floating islands and all the history that surrounds it. Lake Titicaca in Peru has islands, peninsulas and beautiful beaches that you should know. It is fed by the rivers Ramis, Huancané, Coata, Ilave and Suches.

Islands in Titicaca Lake:

• Amantani Island is the largest, with a circular shape and 9.28 km².
• Taquile Island (or Intika) is 5.72 km².
• Soto Island is elongated and covers 2.6 km².
• Yuspique Island covers 3.30 km².
• Anapia Island is also part of the Peruvian side.

History of Lake Titicaca

First inhabitants near Lake Titicaca

The formation of the altiplano lands is inferred to have begun in the Paleozoic period due to epirogenic movements that uplifted the mountain ranges. The creation of the lake may have occurred an average of 7 million years before, during the Cenozoic era.

10,000 years ago B.C. C., the first settlers arrived in the lake basin, and
they took refuge in caves. They also hunted camelids and small animals for food. Their way of life persisted until 3,500 B.C. where something changed. They began to sow crops, and with that the villages grew and so did pastoralism.

Then they mastered the art of pottery, architecture and metallurgy. Thus, the following cultures arose:

• The Qaluyo: They left the first traces of public architecture. It is known that they were a people that connected through barter with nearby cultures. At that time, the hands made Cusipata and Chiripa style pottery. Other pieces have influences of the jungle cultures
• The Pukara: They emerged between 250 BC and 400 AD. They had the “Puquina” language that resounded strongly to the north of what is now Puno. They also sculpted new deities such as: figures with staffs, faces that radiated like suns, and beings that carried in their forms attributes of felines, birds, fish and snakes. Among them stood out a sacrificing character, firm with his trophy.
• Tiwanaku III: Meanwhile, in the territory that is now Bolivia, the Tiwanaku appeared between 100 A.D. and 400 A.D., with their Aymara language. They were close to the Pukara. After this society was influenced by the iconography of the Pukara, which were transferred to Tiwanaku. They built a cultural bridge that still lasts in time. 

The conflict of the first villages before the Incas

Hundreds of years ago, villages lived on the shores of Lake Titicaca, but there was no peace. Villages fought each other for control of the land.

Society was divided into two large groups. To the north, the Hanansaya-Alasaa dominated. To the south, the Urinsaya-Cusiparte ruled.

Each corner of the lake had its own history. To the north, in the plains of Pukara and the Ramis River, lived the Collas. To the east, the Omasuyus built their villages near the water. To the west, the Lupacas built their home, led by their chief “Cari”.

In the south, near the Desaguadero River, the Pacaqes followed their cacique “Guarani”. Further south, the Carangas prospered. And to the northeast, near Lake Poopó, were the Charcas. Finally, in the mountains of southern Bolivia, the Kallawayas (they were like doctors in their time) cared for their land and traditions.

In the time of the Incas

Everything changed in the year 1430. The Inca Viracocha arrived in the Collasuyo looking to expand his kingdom. He decided to confront the brave “Cari”, leader of the Lupacas, in the southwestern islands. Viracocha won. Then they took the capital Hatun Colla and made a pact with them and returned to Cusco.

Years later, in 1471, the resistance returned. The people of the altiplano fortified hills like Llallahua, Asillo and Arapa. They wanted to regain their freedom. However, the Inca Tupac Inca Yupanqui led a large army and subdued them again. With the help of the Carangas, he reached the Charca territory. He captured the leader of the Lupacas and took him to Cusco as a prisoner.  

A sacred lake

The Incas not only conquered these lands, they also venerated Lake Titicaca. For them, it was a sacred place. They built temples and tombs for their leaders on the shores of the lake. Ordinary people rested under large stones near their homes.