Ayllus

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Ayllu is a word in both the Quechua and Aymara languages referring to a network of families in a given area. It is a pre-Conquest indigenous local government model across the Andes region of South America, particularly in Bolivia. The head of an Ayllu is called a Mallku which means, literally, Condor but is a title which can be roughly transliterated as prince. Representatives from the Ayllus are sent to the National Council of Ayllus and Markas of the Qullasuyu or Conamaq. This body chooses an Apu Mallku as its head.