Quechua Indians
Quechua (or Quichua) Indians, a group of tribes that lives in Ecuador, Peru, southern Bolivia, and northwestern Argentina. The Quechua are of medium height, with olive skin and straight black hair. They are Roman Catholics, but have kept many of their old magic rites and make sacrifices to mountain gods.
Their small farms border their villages. Depending on the altitude, the Quechua raise corn, potatoes, or quinoa (pigweed). Many herd sheep, alpacas, or llamas. Some terrace fields at 12,000 feet (3,700 m) or more above sea level.
The Quechua language was the state language of the Incas and is the most widely spoken Indian tongue in South America.