_Which treats of what the Indians of this kingdom say touching the state
of things before the Yncas were known, and how they had fortresses in
the hills, whence they came forth to make war one with another._
I often asked the inhabitants of these provinces what they knew of their
condition before the Incas became the lords. On this subject they say
that all men lived without order, and that many went naked like savages;
that they had no houses, nor any habitations except the caves, many of
which may be seen in the great cliffs and rocks, whence they came forth
to eat what they could find in the fields. Others made fortresses in the
mountains, called _pucara_, out of which they came forth, using strange
languages, to fight, one with the other, over the cultivable lands, or
for other reasons: and many were slain, the spoils and women of the
vanquished being carried off. With all these things they went in triumph
to the heights, where they had their castles, and there offered up
sacrifices to their gods, shedding much blood of men and lambs before
the stones and idols. All these people were in a state of anarchy, for
they say for certain that they had no lords, but only captains to lead
them in their wars. If some went about dressed, it was in slight
clothing, and not such as they now use.
They say that the _llautu_ or cords which they put on their heads that
one tribe may be distinguished from another, were used then as they are
now.
This people living in the condition that I have described, there rose up
in the province of the Collao, a very brave lord named Zapana,[57] who
so prevailed that he brought many people of that province under his
rule. They relate another thing; but whether it be true or not, the
most High God who understands all things only knows. As for me, I have
no other testimony or authority of books for what I relate than the
statements of the Indians. What I want to relate is that they affirm of
a certainty that, after that powerful captain arose in Hatuncollao,[58]
there appeared in the province of the Canas,[59] which lies between the
Canches[60] and Collao, near the village called Chugara, some women who
were like valiant men. Taking up arms they subdued those who were in the
district where they lived, and, almost like what is told of the Amazons,
they made homes for themselves, without husbands. These people, after
this had gone on for some years, and they had performed some famous
deeds, came to fight with Zapana, he who had become Lord of Hatuncollao;
and to defend themselves against his power, which was great, they made
fortresses and walls, which still exist. But after they had done all to
the utmost of their power, they were taken and killed, and their name
disappeared.
There is a citizen in Cuzco named Tomás Vasquez,[61] who told me that he
and Francisco de Villacastin,[62] being in the town of Ayavire,[63]
seeing these enclosures, and asking the natives what they were, the
above story was told them. They also relate what I have written in the
first part, namely, that there were people with beards, in the Island of
Titicaca, in past ages, white like ourselves; that, coming from the
valley of Coquimbo, their captain, who was named Cari,[64] arrived at
the place where Chucuito now stands, whence, after having founded some
new settlements, he passed over with his people to the island. He made
such war upon the inhabitants that he killed them all. Chirihuana, the
governor of those settlements, which now belong to the Emperor,[65] told
me what I have now written; and as this land was so extensive, and in
parts so healthy and well suited for man’s habitation, although they
continued in the practice of petty warfare and indulgence of their
passions, yet they established many settlements. Those captains who
showed themselves to be valorous, continued as lords of several towns;
and all, as is generally reported, had Indians of intelligence in their
houses and fortresses, who spoke with the Devil. And the Devil, by
permission of Almighty God, and for reasons known to Him, had very great
power amongst these people.