Various regional cultures flourished in the Andes during the 12th century between the decline of Tiwanaku and the rise of Inca power. These societies maintained oral traditions including creation myths, ancestral narratives, and ritual poetry, though these were not written down until after Spanish conquest.

Andean oral traditions preserved through Quechua and Aymara communities include material originating in this pre-Inca period, demonstrating continuity in indigenous literary culture despite political changes. Ritual poetry associated with agricultural cycles and mountain worship likely developed during this period, later incorporated into Inca state religion. The lack of writing systems means these traditions survive only through colonial-era transcriptions and modern oral performance, making dating difficult but cultural significance undeniable.