A khipú, by definition, is a recording device composed of knots that Inca communities in Latin America used to document knowledge and stories. Today, scholars are translating these ancient knots created by our ancestors, revitalizing our history, cultural heritage, and collective knowledge.

According to Hyland (2021), khipus (or also known as quipus) consist of a main cord that varies in length from a few centimeters to over a meter, with pendant cords up to half a meter long attached to it. The color is not a decoration or aesthetic differentiator, but a fundamental element that infuses meaning and context into the encoded information. For example, a quipu that uses red threads is associated with military records or sacrifices, as red is commonly linked to blood and war. On the other hand, the use of blue threads indicates celestial associations.

What makes quipus special? In the source titled “Khipus and Cultural Life in a Peruvian Village,” Salomon (2004) suggests that quipus held ceremonial and symbolic significance within the Andean worldview. Therefore, the quipu transcends its utilitarian value to emerge as an interpretive key to a civilization that not only valued efficiency in the management of resources and people, but also integrated these practices into a broader structure of meanings and beliefs.

In many ways, our community resembles an actual khipú: intricately tied together by our shared cultural wealth, yet often constrained by the legacies of our history.

We prioritize diverse communities, such as Hispanic communities.
Khipú is committed to making mental health information accessible to both in Spanish- and English-speaking community members.

It is this understanding that drives our project, dedicated to engaging Hispanics both in the U.S. and internationally. We use tools like advocacy and partnerships to advance our mission and theory of change.