| Jayanca | |
| Native Name Lang: | es |
| Settlement Type: | District |
| Mapsize: | frameless |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Peru |
| Subdivision Type1: | Region |
| Subdivision Name1: | Lambayeque |
| Subdivision Type2: | Province |
| Subdivision Name2: | Lambayeque |
| Parts Type: | Subdivisions |
| Parts Style: | para |
| Established Title: | Founded |
| Seat Type: | Capital |
| Seat: | Jayanca |
| Leader Title: | Mayor |
| Leader Name: | Juan Augusto Purisaca Vigil |
| Unit Pref: | Metric |
| Area Total Km2: | 680.96 |
| Elevation M: | 61 |
| Population Total: | 14206 |
| Population As Of: | 2005 census |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Timezone1: | PET |
| Utc Offset1: | -5 |
| Blank Name Sec1: | UBIGEO |
| Blank Info Sec1: | 140304 |
| Website: | munijayanca.gob.pe |
Jayanca District is one of twelve districts of the Lambayeque Province in the Lambayeque region, Peru.[1] [2]
The district's origin is unclear, however in his book Misceláneas Australes Enrique Brünning reports that the valley was settled by Llapchillully, the favored tailor of Naylamp, the mythical founder of Lambayeque.[3] American anthropologist Izumi Shimada has claimed that the district's first inhabitants, the Sarayoq, belonged to the Andean civilization known as Chavín de Huántar, who formed their first rural settlements in the fertile valleys of Jayanca, Salas, and Motupe.
During the Incan period Jayanca was subdued by the Inca Huayna Capac who, commanding 40,000 men, left Cusco and headed for Quito. During his voyage, he conquered several valleys of the north coast, among them Jayanca.[4]