ib history of the americas unit 1 vocab

sedentary

inhabiting the same locality throughout life; not migratory or nomadic

non-sedentary

a civilization that migrates

semi-sedentary

cultures that are sometimes migratory

nature of the tribute

socio-economic/political system in which tribute/contributions are given to a central power in exchange for protection or peace

• used by various mesoamerican civilizations

landholding

a piece of land owned or rented

confederations

an organization which consists of a number of parties or groups united in an alliance or league

empires

an extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority formerly especially an emperor or empress

• usually have a centralized government

polytheism

the belief and worship of multiple gods

animism

religious belief in which that inanimate objects, plants and natural phenomena are spiritual entities

ephemeral leadership

leadership style where new leadership emerges for a temporary period of time often focused on a specific task/problem and then dissolves once such leadership is no longer needed

quipus

incan recording device of knots

• kind of like Morse code in knots

quipucamayocs

inca state administrative officials who specialize in interpreting and managing quipus

sapa inca

supreme ruler of the inca empire

“god king”

huey tlatoani

supreme ruler of Aztec empire

jaguar warriors

elite class of soldiers in the Aztec military

atlatl

spear-throwing device

• kind of like a lever for a spear

bolas

throwing weapon made of weights

• looks like a ball and chain

communal land

land that is collectively owned and managed by a community

polyculture

agricultural/gardening practice where multiple plant species are grown together in the same space

aquaculture

farming of aquatic organisms like plants and animals

environmental stewardship

responsible use and protection of the natural environment by utilizing sustainable practices and conservation efforts

vision quest

native American rite of passage to adult hood that aims to envision future spirits

popul vuh

ancient text recounting the mythology and history of the K’iche’ people of Guatemala

great law of peace

oral constitution of the haudenosaunee/iroquois confederacy