Question

Who owned the land each ayllu used? What did the ayllu members do on this land?

Answer 1

The ayllu was a social and economic unit in Inca society, which was primarily based on agriculture. The land used by each ayllu was owned collectively by the members of the community, and it was managed and distributed by the community leaders.

The ayllu members engaged in various activities on the land, depending on the needs of the community and the season. Some of these activities included:

Agriculture: The primary activity of the ayllu was agriculture, and members worked together to cultivate crops such as maize, potatoes, quinoa, and beans. The land was often divided into several fields, which were rotated to maintain soil fertility.
Herding: The ayllu members also raised livestock, such as llamas, alpacas, and guinea pigs, for meat, wool, and transportation.
Hunting and fishing: Some ayllu members also engaged in hunting and fishing, depending on the location of the community.
Craft production: The ayllu members also engaged in various crafts, such as pottery, weaving, and metalworking, to produce goods for the community.
The ayllu was a tightly-knit community, and the members worked together to ensure the survival and prosperity of the group as a whole. The land was considered a communal resource, and it was managed and used for the benefit of the community, rather than for individual gain.

Answer 2

Each ayllu had its own farming land and homes, but the ayllu did not own the land. As you have read, everything in the empire belonged to the emperor. The government loaned land to the ayllus for living and for farming. The people of an ayllu then worked this communal land cooperatively to grow crops and produce goods.