_Touching what these natives say concerning Ticiviracocha, of the
opinion held by some that an Apostle passed through this land, and of
the temple there is in Cáchan, also what happened there._
Before the Incas reigned in these kingdoms, or had ever been heard of,
the Indians relate another thing much more notable than all things else
that they say. For they declare that they were a long time without
seeing the sun, and that, suffering much evil from its absence, great
prayers and vows were offered up to their gods, imploring for the light
they needed. Things being in this state, the sun, shining very brightly,
came forth from the island of Titicaca, in the great lake of the Collao,
at which every one rejoiced. Presently afterwards, they say, that there
came from a southern direction a white man of great stature, who, by his
aspect and presence, called forth great veneration and obedience. This
man who thus appeared had great power, insomuch that he could change
plains into mountains, and great hills into valleys, and make water flow
out of stones. As soon as such power was beheld, the people called him
the Maker of created things, the Prince of all things, Father of the
Sun. For they say that he performed other wonders, giving life to men
and animals, so that by his hand marvellous great benefits were
conferred on the people. And such was the story that the Indians who
told it to me say that they heard from their ancestors, who in like
manner heard it in the old songs which they received from very ancient
times. They say that this man went on towards the north, working these
marvels along the way of the mountains; and that he never more returned
so as to be seen. In many places he gave orders to men how they should
live, and he spoke lovingly to them and with much gentleness,
admonishing them that they should do good, and no evil or injury one to
another, and that they should be loving and charitable to all. In most
parts he is generally called _Ticiviracocha_,[66] but in the province of
the Collao they call him _Tuapaca_, and in other places _Arnauan_. In
many parts they built temples in which they put blocks of stone in
likeness of him, and offered up sacrifices before them. It is held that
the great blocks at Tiahuanacu were from that time. Although, from the
fame of what formerly had passed, they relate the things I have stated
touching Ticiviracocha, they know nothing more of him, nor whether he
would ever return to any part of this kingdom.
Besides this, they say that, a long time having passed, they again saw
another man resembling the first, whose name they do not mention; but
they received it from their forefathers as very certain that wherever
this personage came and there were sick, he healed them, and where there
were blind he gave them sight by only uttering words. Through acts so
good and useful he was much beloved by all. In this fashion, working
great things by his words, he arrived at the province of the Canas, in
which, near to a village which has the name of Cacha, and in which the
Captain Bartolomé de Terrazas[67] holds an _encomienda_, the people rose
against him, threatening to stone him. They saw him upon his knees,
with his hands raised to heaven, as if invoking the divine favour to
liberate him from the danger that threatened him. The Indians further
state that presently there appeared a great fire in the heaven, which
they thought to be surrounding them. Full of fear and trembling, they
came to him whom they had wanted to kill, and with loud clamour besought
him to be pleased to forgive them. For they knew that this punishment
threatened them because of the sin they had committed in wishing to
stone the stranger. Presently they saw that when he ordered the fire to
cease, it was extinguished, so that they were themselves witnesses of
what had come to pass; and the stones were consumed and burnt up in such
wise as that large blocks could be lifted in the hand, as if they were
of cork. On this subject they go on to say that, leaving the place where
these things happened, the man arrived on the sea coast, where, holding
his mantle, he went in amongst the waves and was never more seen. And as
he went, so they gave him the name of _Viracocha_, which means “the foam
of the sea.”
Soon afterwards they made a temple in this village of Cacha,[68] on the
other side of a river which passes near, where they set up an idol of
stone, very large, but in a somewhat narrow recess. This recess is not
so large as those in Tiahuanaco, erected in memory of Ticiviracocha, nor
does the figure appear to have the same kind of vestments. Some gold was
found in holes near it.
When I passed through this province, I went to see the idol, for the
Spaniards affirm that it may have been some apostle. I heard many
declare that it had legends written on its hands. But this is nonsense,
unless my eyes were blinded, for although I looked closely I could not
see anything of the kind. The hands were placed over the haunches, the
arms twisted, and on the girdle were indications that the vestments were
fastened with buttons. Whether this or any other was intended for one of
the glorious apostles who, in the days of his preaching, had passed this
way, God Almighty knows. I know not, and can only believe that if he was
an apostle, he would work with the power of God in his preaching to
these people, who are simple and with little guile; and there would be
some vestige of his visit. Yet what we see and understand is that the
Devil had very great power over these people, God permitting it, and
that in these places very heathenish and vain sacrifices were offered
up. Hence I believe that, until our times, the word of the Holy Gospel
was not heard. Now we see all the temples profaned, and the glorious
Cross planted in all directions.
I asked the people of Cacha in remembrance of what god the temple had
been built. The cacique, or lord, was an Indian of intelligence and good
presence, named Don Juan, a Christian, who came with me himself to show
me this piece of antiquity. He told me that it was built in honor of
Ticiviracocha. Treating of this name Viracocha, I wish to disabuse the
reader of the popular belief that the natives called the Spaniards by
the name of Viracocha, which means foam of the sea. So far as the word
is concerned it is true, for _vira_ is the word for grease, and _cocha_
is the sea. And seeing that the Spaniards came by sea, that name has
been attributed to them. But this is a wrong interpretation, according
to the explanation which I received at Cuzco, and which the Orejones
give. They say that before Atahuallpa was taken prisoner by the
Spaniards in the province of Caxamarca, there had been great wars
between him and his brother Huascar Inca, the sole heir to the empire.
At length, at the pass of Cotabamba over the river Apurimac, the king
Huascar was taken prisoner, and cruelly treated by Chalicuchima.[69]
Besides this, Quizquiz[70] did great mischief in Cuzco and, as is well
known, killed thirty brothers of Huascar, committing other cruelties on
those who were favourable to the legitimate heir and had not shown a
desire to receive Atahuallpa. While these passions were at their height,
Atahuallpa had been made prisoner and had agreed with Pizarro to give
him a house of gold as his ransom. Martin Bueno, Zarate, and Moguer[71]
went to Cuzco to receive it, the greater part being in the Sun temple
called Curicancha. As these Christians arrived at Cuzco at the time when
the party of Huascar was suffering under the above calamity, the
oppressed Yncas rejoiced when they heard of the imprisonment of
Atahuallpa, and with great supplications implored the aid of the
Christians against their enemy, declaring that they must be sent by the
intervention of their great God Ticiviracocha, and that they were his
sons; and presently they called them so, giving them the name of
Viracocha.
They ordered the High Priest and the other ministers of the temple to
keep the sacred women there, and Quizquiz delivered all the gold and
silver to the Spaniards. As these Spaniards were so free from all
restraint, and held the honor of the people so lightly, in return for
the hospitality and friendliness with which they were received, they
corrupted some of the virgins; which was the reason that the Indians,
who also saw how little reverence the Spaniards felt for the Sun, and
how shamelessly and without the fear of God they violated the
_mamaconas_,[72] which the Indians held to be a great sacrilege, began
to say that such people were not sons of God, but that they were worse
than _Supais,_ which is their name of Devil. Nevertheless, to comply
with the order of the Lord Atahuallpa, the captains of the city took
leave of the Spaniards without showing any anger whatever, soon
afterwards sending the treasure. But the name of Viracocha continued
from that day, and it was given, as I was informed, for the reason I
have already written down, and not owing to its signification of foam of
the sea.[73] And now I will relate what I have been given to understand
respecting the origin of the Incas.