Of the great province of Chincha, and how much it was valued in ancient
times.
About two leagues beyond the fortress of Guarco is a rather large river
called Lunahuana, and the valley which it forms is like all the rest.
Six miles further on is the large and beautiful valley of Chincha, so
far famed throughout Peru, as well as feared in former days by the other
natives. When the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, with his thirteen
companions, discovered the coast of this kingdom, it was said on all
sides that Chincha was the fairest and best part of it. Thus it was
that, by reason of the fame borne by the place, and without knowing the
secrets of the soil, he sought from his Majesty the government of a
territory extending from the river of Santiago or Tempulla to this
valley of Chincha.[382]
As to the origin of the Indians of Chincha, they say that, in time past,
a quantity of them set out under the banner of a valiant captain of
their own tribe and arrived at this valley of Chincha, where they found
many inhabitants, but all of such small stature that the tallest was
barely two cubits high. The new comers being valiant, and the natives
cowardly and timid, the former gained possession. They also affirm that
all the natives perished, and that the fathers of the grandfathers of
men now alive saw their bones in certain tombs which were as small as
has been described.
These Indians thus became lords of the valley; they flourished and
multiplied, and built their villages close together. They say that they
heard a certain oracle near a rock, and that they all hold the place to
be sacred. They call it _Chincha_ and _Camay_. They constantly made
sacrifices, and the devil held converse with the older men, and deceived
them as he did all the other Indians. The principal chiefs of the
valley, and many other Indians, have now become Christians, and a
monastery of the glorious Saint Dominic has been founded in the valley.
But to return to our subject. They affirm that the Indians of this
valley increased so rapidly in numbers and in power, that those of the
other neighbouring valleys sought friendship and alliance with them as a
great honour and advantage. Finding themselves so powerful, they are
said to have set out to rob the provinces of the _Sierra_ at the time
that the first Yncas were founding the city of Cuzco. They are said to
have done much mischief in Soras and Lucanas, and to have got as far as
the great province of the Collao, whence, after having taken great
spoils, and gained many victories, they returned to their valley. Here
they and their descendants lived, given up to their pleasures and
amusements, with over many women, and following the same rites and
customs as the other tribes. The valley was so populous, that many
Spaniards say, that when the Marquis conquered it, it contained more
than 25,000 men. At present, I believe, that there are barely 5000, such
have been the strifes and misfortunes they have gone through. The
lordship of this valley was also safe and prosperous until the valiant
Ynca Yupanqui extended his rule in this direction. Wishing to bring the
chiefs of Chincha under his rule, he sent a captain of his own lineage,
named Ccapac Ynca Yupanqui, with an army of many _Orejones_ and others,
who reached the valley, and had several encounters with the natives. Not
being able to subjugate them, the _Orejones_ passed on; but in the time
of Tupac Ynca Yupanqui, father of Huayna Ccapac, they were finally
conquered, and from that time they obeyed the laws of the Lords Yncas;
the villages of the valley were ruled by them, and great buildings and
storehouses were erected for the King. The Yncas did not deprive the
chiefs of their lordship, but his delegate lived in the valley, and the
natives were ordered to worship the sun. Thus a temple was built, and
many virgins and priests to celebrate festivals resided in it. But,
notwithstanding that this temple of the sun was so pre-eminently
established, the natives did not cease to worship also in their ancient
temple of Chinchaycama. The Kings Yncas also sent _Mitimaes_ into this
great valley, and ordered that, during certain months in the year, the
native chiefs should reside at the court of Cuzco. The chief of Chincha,
who is still living, was in most of the wars which were waged during the
time of Huayna Ccapac. He is a man of ability and good understanding for
an Indian.
This valley is one of the largest in all Peru, and it is a beautiful
thing to see its channels of water and groves of trees, and the great
abundance of fruit, more especially the luscious and fragrant _pepinos_,
not like those of Spain, although they bear some resemblance. These are
yellow when the peel is taken off, and so delicious that it is necessary
to eat many of them before a man is satisfied. In the thickets there are
the same birds as have already been mentioned. There are scarcely any
sheep of the country, because the wars between the Christians have
caused their destruction. This valley yields plenty of wheat, and they
cultivate vines which they have planted. The valley yields all the other
things which have been planted by the Spaniards.
There were an immense quantity of burial-places made on the surrounding
arid heights. The Spaniards opened many of them, and obtained a great
quantity of gold. The native Indians were fond of dancing, and the
chiefs went about with much ceremony and parade, and were reverenced by
their vassals. After the Yncas established their rule, the natives
copied many customs from them, adopted their dress, and imitated them in
all other things as their sole lords.
The large population of this great valley has been reduced by the long
civil wars in Peru, and because many natives have been taken away to
carry burdens for the Spaniards (as is well known).