(The heading of this chapter is unfit for translation.)
In many parts of these Indies the people worshipped the sun, although
they also believed in a Creator whose seat was in heaven. The worship of
the sun was either received from the Yncas, or, as in the province of
Guancavilcas, established from ancient times.
The people of Guancavilcas (so they say) used to pull out three teeth in
each jaw, the fathers doing it to their children when of very tender
age, which they thought was no evil, but rather a service very
acceptable to their gods. They marry in the same way as their
neighbours. [_The remainder of this paragraph is unfit for
translation._]
The chiefship is inherited by the son (according to the account which
they gave me), and, failing sons, then the next brother, and, failing
brothers, the sons of the sisters. There are some women who are good
looking. Among the Indians of whom I am now treating the best-flavoured
maize bread is made in all the Indies. It is so good and well kneaded,
that it is even better than some wheaten bread.
In some villages of these Indians they have a great quantity of skins of
men full of ashes, the appearance of which is as frightful as those in
the valley of Lile, near the city of Cali. [_The rest of the paragraph
is unfit for translation._]
They have heard the preaching of many clergymen and friars, and begin to
understand that our faith is the perfect and true one, and that the
teaching of the devil is false, so that his deceitful communications
have ceased. In all parts where the holy evangel is preached, a cross is
placed at which the devil is terrified and flies away. But it is true
that the faith impresses itself more on the young than on the old; for
as the latter are grown old in their vices, they do not cease to commit
their former sins in secret, and in such sort that the Christians cannot
detect them. The youths listen to our priests, and follow our Christian
doctrine, so that in these districts there are good and bad, as in all
other parts of the world.