_How the Mitimaes were established, and of the different kinds of them,
and how they were highly esteemed by the Incas._
In this chapter I wish to describe that which appertains to those
Indians called _mitimaes_, for many things are related concerning them
in Peru, and they were honoured and privileged by the Incas, being next
in rank to the Orejones, while in the History which they entitle _Of the
Indies_, it is written by the author,[135] that they were slaves of
Huayna Capac. Into this error all those writers fall who depend upon the
relations of others, without having such knowledge of the land
concerning which they write, as to be able to affirm the truth.
In most, if not in all parts of the provinces of Peru there were and
still are these _mitimaes_, and we understand that there were three
classes of them. The system conduced greatly to the maintenance,
welfare, and peopling of the empire. In considering how and in what
manner these _mitimaes_ were stationed, and the nature of their
services, my readers will appreciate the way in which the Incas
understood how best to order and regulate the government of so many
regions and provinces.
_Mitimaes_ is the name of those who are transported from one land to
another. The first kind of _mitimaes_, as instituted by the Incas, were
those who were moved to other countries, after a new province had been
conquered. A certain number of the conquered people were ordered to
people another land of the same climate and conditions as their original
country. If it was cold, they were sent to a cold region, if warm, to a
warm one, where they were given lands and houses such as those they had
left. This was done that order might be secured, and that the natives
might quickly understand how they must serve and behave themselves, and
learn all that the older vassals understood concerning their duties, to
be peaceful and quiet, not hasty to take up arms. At the same time, an
equal number of settlers was taken from a part which had been peaceful
and civilized for a long time, and sent into the newly conquered
province, and among the recently subjugated people. There they were
expected to instruct their neighbours in the ways of peace and
civilization; and in this way, both by the emigration of some and the
arrival of others, all was made secure under the royal governors and
lieutenants.
The Incas knew how much all people feel the removal from their country
and their home associations, and in order that they might take such
banishment with good will, they did honour to those who were selected as
emigrants, gave bracelets of gold and silver to many of them, and
clothes of cloth and feathers to the women. They were also privileged in
many other ways. Among the colonists there were spies, who took note of
the conversations and schemes of the natives, and supplied the
information to the governors, who sent it to Cuzco without delay, to be
submitted to the Inca. In this way all was made secure, for the natives
feared the _mitimaes_, while the _mitimaes_ suspected the natives, and
all learnt to serve and to obey quietly. If there were turmoils or
disturbances they were severely punished. Among the Incas there were
some who were revengeful, and who punished without moderation and with
great cruelty.
The _mitimaes_ were employed to take charge of the flocks of the Inca
and of the Sun, others to make cloth, others as workers in silver, and
others as quarrymen and labourers. Some also were sculptors and gravers
of images; in short, they were required to do such service as was most
useful, and in the performance of which they were most skilful. Orders
were also given that _mitimaes_ should go into the forests of the Andes
to sow maize and to cultivate coca and fruit-trees. In this way the
people of the regions where it was too cold to grow these things were
supplied with them.
The second class of _mitimaes_ were those who formed garrisons under
captains, some of whom were _Orejones_, on the frontiers, in forests
east of the Andes. For the Indians, such as the Chunchos, Moxos,
Chiriguanas, and others whose lands are on the slopes eastward of the
Andes, are wild and very warlike. Many of them eat human flesh; and they
certainly came forth to make war and destroy the villages and fields of
their neighbours, carrying off those they could capture as prisoners. To
guard against this evil, there were garrisons in many parts, in which
there were some _Orejones_. In order that the burden of war might not
fall upon one tribe, and that they might not be able quickly to concert
a rising or rebellion, it was arranged that the _mitimaes_ should be
taken from provinces that were conveniently situated, to serve as
soldiers in these garrisons; whose duty it was to hold and defend the
forts, called _pucaras_, if it should be necessary. Provisions were
supplied to the soldiers of the maize and other food which the
neighbouring districts paid as tribute. The recompense for their service
consisted in orders that were given, on certain occasions, to bestow
upon them woollen clothing, feathers, or bracelets of gold and silver,
after they had shewn themselves to be valiant. They were also presented
with women from among the great number that were kept, in each province,
for the service of the Ynca, and as most of these were beautiful they
were highly valued. Besides this, the soldiers were given other things
of little value, which the governors of provinces were required to
provide, for they had authority over the captains whom these _mitimaes_
were obliged to obey.
Besides the frontiers already mentioned, they maintained these garrisons
in the borders of Chachapoyas and Bracamoros, and in Quito, and
Caranque, which is beyond Quito to the northward, next to the province
called Popayan, and in other parts where it was necessary, as well in
Chili, as in the coast valleys and the mountains.
The other manner of stationing _mitimaes_ was more strange. The system
of planting captains and garrisons on the frontiers, although done on a
large scale, is no new thing, for there are not wanting other
governments who have adopted a similar policy. But the other manner of
colonising was different. In the course of the conquests made by the
Yncas, either in the mountains, or plains, or valleys, where a district
appeared to be suitable for cultivation, with a good climate and fertile
soil, which was still desert and uninhabited, orders were at once given
that as many colonists as would be sufficient to people it should be
brought from a neighbouring province with a similar climate. The land
was then divided amongst them, and they were provided with flocks and
all the provisions they needed, until they had time to reap their own
harvests. These colonists worked so well, and the king required their
labours to be proceeded with so diligently, that in a short time the new
district was peopled and cultivated, insomuch that it caused great
content to behold it. In this way many valleys on the coast and ravines
on the mountains were peopled, both such as had been personally examined
by the Yncas, and such as they knew of from report. No tribute was
required from the new settlers for some years; and they were provided
with women, provisions, and _coca_, that they might, with more goodwill,
be induced to establish themselves in their new homes.
In this way there were very few cultivable lands that remained desert in
the time of the Incas, but all were peopled, as is well known to the
first Christians who entered the country. Assuredly, it causes no small
grief to reflect that these Incas, being gentiles and idolaters, should
have established such good order in the government and maintenance of
such vast provinces, while we, being Christians, have destroyed so many
kingdoms. For wherever the Christians have passed, discovering and
conquering, nothing appears but destruction.
It must be understood that the city of Cuzco was also full of strangers,
all occupied in some industry. As there were many different tribes and
lineages of men, it was necessary to guard against risings or other
troubles which would be contrary to the wishes of the king. To this day
there are in Cuzco men of Chachapoyas and Cañaris, and people from other
parts, descended from the settlers who had been placed there.
It is held as certain, that these systems of colonisation have been in
use since the days of Inca Yupanqui, the same who established the posts,
and the first who planned the enrichment of the temple of Curicancha, as
will be recounted in its place. Although some Indians say that the
_mitimaes_ were planted from the time of Viracocha Inca, the father of
Inca Yupanqui, those may believe it who please to do so. For my part, I
took such pains to ascertain the facts, that I do not hesitate to affirm
the colonising system to have been instituted by Inca Yupanqui. Such is
my belief; and this being the case we will now pass on to another part
of the subject.