Felipillo

"Felipillo" (or Felipe) was a 16th-century Amerindian interpreter who accompanied Spanish conquistadors Francisco Pizarro and Diego de Almagro on their various expeditions to Peru during their conquest of the Inca Empire. His real name is not known. Felipillo was the name given to him by the Spanish conquistadors.

Biography

There is discrepancy between Spanish contemporary sources about Felipillo's place of birth. According to some of them, he was a native of Tumbez, but according to others, he was born in the region of Poechos, and was of Tallán ethnicity. An isolated version claims he was from the island of Puná. Felipillo learned Quechua in Tumbes from natives who spoke it as a second language, and he also learned some Spanish from Pizarro's soldiers. He was later taken back to Panama by Pizarro.

On his return to Peru, Felipillo continued serving as a translator for the Spaniards as the conquest of the country carried its course Conquistador and chronicler Pedro Cieza de León, however, claims that Felipillo deliberately translated Pizarro's messages inaccurately to the Inca king and spread rumors because he belonged to a rival tribe and was having an affair with one of Atahualpa's concubines. According to some, Felipillo may not have been the main interpreter during that meeting but rather another interpreter called Martinillo. Others argue that the interpreter had been Friar Vincente de Valverde.

Among Peruvians today, the word "Felipillo" has taken a meaning similar to "traitor." This depiction of Felipillo mostly originates from his actions during Pizarro's expeditions in 1532-1533, when he played a major role in the Sapa Inca's capture and trial.

Felipillo is a significant side character in Rafael Dumett's novel, El espía del Inca. This novel was published in 2018 by Lluvia Editores in Peru and later by Alfaguara in Spain. In the novel, Felipillo assists the Spanish invaders against the Incas.