mita

[ mee-tuh ]

/ ˈmi tə /

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noun

a colonial system in Peru by which the Spanish government required Indians to perform periodic forced labor, especially in the mines.

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Origin of mita

1720–30; American Spanish <Quechua mit'a literally, turn, time

In the mines and plantations countless numbers of Indians were annually swept away by the excessive labor consequent on the mita.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests|J. J. von Tschudi
The mita alone, especially the labor in the mines, has swept away four times as many Indians as all the other causes combined.
Travels in Peru, on the Coast, in the Sierra, Across the Cordilleras and the Andes, into the Primeval Forests|J. J. von Tschudi
Aude had near her her sister Mita, fair as herself, but slightly browned by the Spanish sun under which she had been brought up.
The Days of Chivalry|Ernest Louis Victor Jules L'Epine
The severe eye of the bishop met the supplicating looks of Mita, and her eyes sought the ground.
The Days of Chivalry|Ernest Louis Victor Jules L'Epine

The heart of Mita beat very fast during those few seconds, but at last she beheld her knight hand-to-hand with Garlan the Bearded.
The Days of Chivalry|Ernest Louis Victor Jules L'Epine