Why was warfare important in some Indigenous societies of the Caribbean and northern Andes?

In many Indigenous societies of the Caribbean and northern Andes, warfare was a significant factor linked to political organization, territorial expansion, and social structure.

• Territorial and Resource Competition: Warfare was often driven by the need to secure territory and resources. Expansionist groups, such as the Chibcha and Guaymí, engaged in warfare to expand their influence and protect their interests, often constructing palisades around their towns for defense.1
• Political Integration: There was a correlation between agricultural development and political complexity. Cultures with more highly developed agriculture often exhibited greater political integration and were more likely to be involved in warfare compared to groups with simpler subsistence economies.1
• Captives and Social Status: Warfare served as a means to acquire captives. In these societies, captives were often taken for use as low-status wives or concubines, or they were slain for religious sacrifice, as human trophies, or for cannibalism. Military exploits could also serve as a basis for achieving noble status.1
• Regional Conflict: Among groups like the Antillean Carib, warfare involved encroaching on the territories of other groups, such as the Antillean Arawak, to take both land and captives.1