Posted on 06/05/2002 5:26:53 PM PDT by blam
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I don't know about the surnames. Over four centuries of Catholicism and over two of Spanish rule did leave a mark, so it's not surprising that Spanish names are common.
But close to half the population of Peru today is Indian and over a third is mestizo, or mixed European and Indian.
The upper classes still tend to be Spanish or European in ancestry. Those of European or Mestizo background are more apt to travel outside the country, but the Indian presence is very strong.
You know you're not in Europe or North America or Argentina in Peru. And the descendants of the Incas and other native peoples are very aware of that as well.
The Indians are still there and the Spanish crown no longer rules over them. Western civilization is there as well, but you find Western science and ideas wherever people live in modern cities.
In a way, the natives did win in the end, though it's no comfort to Atahualpa or Tupac Amaru.
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