Ingapirca is the largest site in Ecuador of an Incan settlement. Whereas in other places in South America, the Incas conquered and obliterated or subjugated the former inhabitants, here they lived side by side with the more ancient Canari tribe. The Canaris had a queen and a female dominated society. Their people and culture survived by cooperating rather than competing with the Incas. It is easy to distinguish the descendants of the Incas in this area - they wear dark hats while the Canari descendants wear white hats.
