Counting Khipu: de-structured
Watch and learn about the basic components of a Khipu from the Inca period
Khipu video, its structure and technologyMALI, Museo de Arte de Lima
Materials, Colours, and Directions
Recent studies have demonstrated the importance of other khipu attributes in encoding information, such as the distribution of color patterns and the twisting of cords, the way in which the knots were tied, as well as the spacing between cords.
Khipu video, its structure and technologyMALI, Museo de Arte de Lima
Basic Structure
A khipu’s basic structure consists of a main cord to which groups of pendant cords are attached, with the latter cords typically containing the knots.
Khipu video, its structure and technologyMALI, Museo de Arte de Lima
Pendant Cords
These pendant cords can in turn have dependent strings, known as subsidiary cords. Some khipus even have a large cord at the top with the sum total of the khipu’s contents.
Khipu video, its structure and technologyMALI, Museo de Arte de Lima
Counting in Khipu
The forms of the knots varied depending on the number to be recorded in the ones, tens, hundreds, or thousands position, etc.
