Turi

Turi was an Incan boy who trained to become a chasqui during the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire in the 16th century. Turi was a good friend of Quila, a woman and fellow chasqui who was despised by the other male couriers, and trained with her to run faster and to learn how to read quipus.

Biography[edit | edit source]

One day in 1536, Turi was present with the other Incans when they receive a message from Quila reporting the news of Emperor Manco Inca Yupanqui winning another battle in the capital of Cuzco against the Spanish invaders. There, he witnessed firsthand the discrimination faced by Quila, who was addressed rudely by the elders due to her being a woman.^[1]

Later at night, Turi met with Quila, where he was given a final lesson on reading quipus. Quila gave him a self-made quipu, which he quickly identified as telling him not to stop and always run. Turi expressed his gratitude to Quila for her lessons and apologised for his failure to defend her earlier during the day. After asking her about family in the capital, Turi challenged her to a race, believing it would be his last chance before he starts his role as a chasqui. Quila accepted the challenge, but they were quickly interrupted by a drunken Gonzalo Pardo.^[1]