_How the Capacocha was made, and to what extent it was practised by the
Incas_; _by which is to be understood the gifts and offerings that were
made to idols_.
In this place it will be well that I should explain what was understood
by the _Capacocha_, as all that has just gone before related to the
service of the temples. I speak on the authority of old Indians who are
still living, and who saw what passed concerning this matter, and I
shall write what I gather from them to be the truth.
It was the custom in Cuzco for the kings to cause all the statues and
figures of idols in the _huacas_ or temples where they were worshipped,
to be brought to the city once a year. They were conveyed with much
veneration by the priests and _camayocs_ or guardians, and when they
entered Cuzco they were received with great feasting and processions,
being deposited in the places that were set apart for that purpose. A
great number of people having come from the neighbourhood of the city,
and indeed from all parts of the empire, as well men as women, the
reigning sovereign, accompanied by all the Incas and Orejones,
courtiers, and principal men of the city, inaugurated a succession of
great festivals, drinking bouts, and _taquis_.
The great chain of gold which encircled all was brought out into the
square of Cuzco, and such riches and precious stones as he is able to
imagine who has read what has been written touching the treasures
possessed by these kings. The business of this annual ceremony was to
receive a forecast of the events of the year to come, from the statues
and figures and their priests; whether it would be fertile or sterile;
whether the Inca would have a long life or would die; whether enemies
would come from any direction; and, in conclusion, other enquiries, of
more or less import, were made, such as whether there would be any
pestilence, or murrain in the flocks, and whether the flocks would be
largely multiplied. These enquiries were not made of all the oracles
together, but of each one by itself. If the Incas did not do this every
year, they felt discontent and fear, and did not consider their lives to
be safe.
First, the people made merry, with their solemn drinking bouts,
banquets, great _taquis_ or musical entertainments, and other
festivities, which are entirely different from ours. Then the Inca
invited those around him, with great triumph; and at this feast there
were great jars of gold and silver; for all the service of his kitchen,
down to the pots and pans, was of that metal. The High Priest was also
present at the festival with the same pomp and magnificence as the king,
accompanied by the _mama conas_ and priests who had come together for
the occasion. Those who were appointed for the purpose were commanded to
put the questions concerning future events to each of the idols; and the
idols replied by the mouths of the priests who had charge of their
images. These, having drunk deeply, answered in the way which seemed to
be most to the taste of those who made the enquiries, finding out what
to say from the devils who were in the statues. The enquiry being made
of each idol, the priests, being so cunning in their wicked art, asked
for some time to answer, that their nonsense might be listened to with
more credit and respect. They said that they must offer up sacrifices
that, their great gods being pleased, it might please them to answer as
to what would happen. So many animals, such as sheep and lambs,
_cuis_[144], and birds, exceeding the number of 2,000 sheep and lambs,
were beheaded. Meanwhile the priests made their diabolical exorcisms and
vain sacrifices, according to their custom. Presently they announced
what they had dreamt or imagined, or perhaps what the devil had told
them. Great attention was paid to what they said, and to the number
which concurred in foretelling good or evil. The same thing was gone
through with regard to the other replies, and care was taken to note who
spoke truly, and ascertained what was about to come to pass in the
coming year.
This being done, the almoners of the king came forth with the offerings
which they call _capacocha_, and the general almsgiving having been gone
through, the idols were taken back to their temples. If, before the year
had passed, the saying of any one of those dreamers happened to come
true, the Inca joyfully sent for him, to be one of his household.
The _capacocha_, as I have said, was an offering paid instead of a tithe
to the temples. It consisted of many vases of gold and silver and
precious stones, loads of rich mantles, and large flocks. In the
following years no gifts were bestowed on those whose sayings proved to
be false or uncertain, and they forfeited their reputations. At these
ceremonies great things were done at Cuzco, much more than I have
written. In these days, after the Royal Audience had been established,
and Gasca had returned to Spain,[145] mention was made of this
_capacocha_ in certain lawsuits, and it is certain that the custom
prevailed, as well as all else that we have written. We will now
describe the great festival of _Hatun Raymi_.