Sons and daughters of the sapa inca and his many wives were considered nobles. Although only the son of a coya could follow his father, the other sons had defined roles in society as military leaders, governors, apus, priests, and administrators. The various sons, including the heir apparent, went to the school in Cuzco near the royal palace. Schoolboys who had not reached maturity and passed through the Inca puberty rites were called awkis. After puberty, they became incas, which referred to their position as noble men or leaders.
The sapa inca’s daughters were destined to marry other nobles, be ladies-in-waiting to the coya, or enter the Acllahuasi as a chosen woman. As unmarried women, the princesses were called nyostas. Once married, they were called palyas.
A noble-born Inca was a person who could trace his lineage back to Manco Capac, however remotely, and bore the title capac inca, which means “capable leader" These nobles were relatives of the sapa inca, although they could be distant cousins. Direct descendants of Manco Capac could be part of the state council, which is much like the president’s cabinet in the United States. These men counseled the sapa inca on the state of the empire and ensured that orders given by the sapa inca were carried out. Four capac incas ran the four quarters of the empire as apus.
Hahua incas were appointed to the nobility and rose in status by showing devotion to the sapa inca or through outstanding military service. Like the capac incas, they did the brainwork of running the empire; they planned, organized, supervised, and managed large groups of citizens.
Nobles received gifts and privileges from the sapa inca, including tunics of cumbi (vicuna wool), which they might wear for special occasions in Cuzco. They also gained land, servants, herds of llamas, and wives or concubines selected for them by the sapa inca. Polygamy (having more than one wife) was a right only of the noble classes.
Capac and hahua incas rode in litters and used gold or silver bowls or plates. Most importantly, they were exempt from paying regular taxes to the sapa inca and the religious sector.
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