María Chona

Indigenous Peruvian cultural preservationist who documented Quechua traditions during the 20th century.

Introduction

María Chona (1880–1962) was a Quechua woman from Cusco whose intimate knowledge of Inca traditions became vital for preserving Andean heritage. Though illiterate, her oral histories and botanical expertise helped scholars like Hiram Bingham understand pre-Columbian cultures.

Role in Cultural Preservation

Chona shared medicinal plant knowledge, agricultural practices, and ritual customs with anthropologists. Her descriptions of Machu Picchu's terraces and irrigation systems provided critical context for its 1911 rediscovery. She also taught traditional weaving techniques, which remain central to Quechua identity today.

Legacy

Despite her contributions, Chona remained largely unrecognized during her lifetime. Modern scholars like Hugh Thomson now credit her as a key informant for understanding Andean cosmology. The María Chona Cultural Center in Cusco now honors her role in indigenous knowledge preservation.