and that nothing might be lost, the Inca caused four poles to be set up
on a high mountain to the east of Cuzco, about two _varas_ apart, on the
heads of which there were holes, by which the sun entered, in the manner
of a watch or astrolabe. Observing where the sun struck the ground
through these holes, at the time of sowing and harvest, marks were made
on the ground. Other poles were set up in the part corresponding to the
west of Cuzco, for the time of harvesting the maize. Having fixed the
positions exactly by these poles, they built columns of stone for
perpetuity in their places, of the height of the poles and with holes in
like places. All round it was ordered that the ground should be paved;
and on the stones certain lines were drawn, conforming to the movements
of the sun entering through the holes in the columns. Thus the whole
became an instrument serving for an annual time-piece, by which the
times of sowing and harvesting were regulated. Persons were appointed to
observe these watches, and to notify to the people the times they
indicated[81].
[Note 81: The pillars at Cuzco to determine the time of the
solstices were called _Sucanca_. The two pillars denoting the beginning
of winter, whence the year was measured, were called _Pucuy Sucanca_.
Those notifying the beginning of spring were _Chirao Sucanca_. _Suca_
means a ridge or furrow and _sucani_ to make ridges: hence _sucanca_,
the alternate light and shadow, appearing like furrows. Acosta says
there was a pillar for each month. Garcilasso de la Vega tells us that
there were eight on the east, and eight on the west side of Cuzco (i. p.
177) in double rows, four and four, two small between two high ones, 20
feet apart. Cieza de Leon says that they were in the Carmenca suburb (i.
p. 325).
To ascertain the time of the equinoxes there was a stone column in the
open space before the temple of the Sun in the centre of a large circle.
This was the _Inti-huatana_. A line was drawn across from east to west
and they watched when the shadow of the pillar was on the line from
sunrise to sunset and there was no shadow at noon. There is another
_Inti-huatana_ at Pisac, and another at Hatun-colla. _Inti_, the Sun
God, _huatani_, to seize, to tie round, _Inti-huatana_, a sun circle.]
Besides this, as he was curious about the things of antiquity, and
wished to perpetuate his name, the Inca went personally to the hill of
Tampu-tocco or Paccari-tampu, names for the same thing, and entered the
cave whence it is held for certain that Manco Ccapac and his brethren
came when they marched to Cuzco for the first time, as has already been
narrated. After he had made a thorough inspection, he venerated the
locality and showed his feeling by festivals and sacrifices. He placed
doors of gold on the window Ccapac-tocco, and ordered that from that
time forward the locality should be venerated by all, making it a prayer
place and _huaca_, whither to go to pray for oracles and to sacrifice.
Having done this the Inca returned to Cuzco. He ordered the year to be
divided into twelve months, almost like our year. I say almost, because
there is some difference, though slight, as will be explained in its
place.
He called a general assembly of the oldest and wisest men of Cuzco and
other parts, who with much diligence scrutinized and examined the
histories and antiquities of the land, principally of the Incas and
their forefathers. He ordered the events to be painted and preserved in
order, as I explained when I spoke of the method adopted in preparing
this history.
XXXI.
PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI REBUILDS THE HOUSE OF THE SUN AND ESTABLISHES
NEW IDOLS IN IT.
Having adorned the city of Cuzco with edifices, streets, and the other
things that have been mentioned, Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui reflected that
since the time of Manco Ccapac, none of his predecessors had done
anything for the House of the Sun. He, therefore, resolved to enrich it
with more oracles and edifices to appal ignorant people and produce
astonishment, that they might help in the conquest of the whole land
which he intended to subdue, and in fact he commenced and achieved the
subjugation of a large portion of it He disinterred the bodies of the
seven deceased Incas, from Manco Ccapac to Yahuar-huaccac, which were
all in the House of the Sun, enriching them with masks, head-dresses
called _chuco_, medals, bracelets, sceptres called _yauri_ or
_champi_[82], and other ornaments of gold. He then placed them, in the
order of their seniority, on a bench with a back, richly adorned with
gold, and ordered great festivals to be celebrated with representations
of the lives of each Inca. These festivals, which are called
_purucaya_[83], were continued for more than four months. Great and
sumptuous sacrifices were made to each Inca, at the conclusion of the
representation of his acts and life. This gave them such authority that
it made all strangers adore them, and worship them as gods. These
strangers, when they beheld such majesty, humbled themselves, and put up
their hands to worship or _mucha_ as they say. The corpses were held in
great respect and veneration until the Spaniards came to this land of
Peru.
[Note 82: _Champi_ means a one-handed battle axe (Garcilasso de la
Vega, I. lib. ix. cap. 31). Novices received it at the festival of
Huarachicu, with the word _Auccacunapac_, for traitors.]
[Note 83: According to Mossi _puruccayan_ was the general mourning
on the death of the Inca.]
Besides these corpses, Pachacuti made two images of gold. He called one
of them Viracocha Pachayachachi. It represented the creator, and was
placed on the right of the image of the Sun. The other was called
_Chuqui ylla_, representing lightning, placed on the left of the Sun.
This image was most highly venerated by all. Inca Yupanqui adopted this
idol for his _guauqui_[84], because he said that it had appeared and
spoken in a desert place and had given him a serpent with two heads, to
carry about with him always, saying that while he had it with him,
nothing sinister could happen in his affairs. To these idols the Inca
gave the use of lands, flocks, and servants, especially of certain women
who lived in the same House of the Sun, in the manner of nuns. These all
came as virgins but few remained without having had connexion with the
Inca. At least he was so vicious in this respect, that he had access to
all whose looks gave him pleasure, and had many sons.
[Note 84: _Huauqui_, brother.]
Besides this House, there were some _huacas_ in the surrounding country.
These were that of Huanacauri, and others called Anahuarqui, Yauira,
Cinga, Picol, Pachatopan[85] [_to many they made the accursed
sacrifices, which they called_ Ccapac Cocha, _burying children, aged 5
or 6, alive as offerings to the devil, with many offerings of vases of
gold and silver_].
[Note 85: Anahuarqui was the name of the wife of Tupac Inca
Yupanqui. Yauira may be for Yauirca, a fabulous creature described by
Yamqui Pachacuti. Cinga and Picol do not occur elsewhere. Pachatopan is
no doubt _Pacha tupac_, beautiful land.]
The Inca, they relate, also caused to be made a great woollen chain of
many colours, garnished with gold plates, and two red fringes at the
end. It was 150 fathoms in length, more or less. This was used in their
public festivals, of which there were four principal ones in the year.
The first was called RAYMI or CCAPAC RAYMI, which was when they opened
the ears of knights at a ceremony called _huarachico_. The second was
called SITUA resembling our lights of St John[86]. They all ran at
midnight with torches to bathe, saying that they were thus left clean of
all diseases. The third was called YNTI RAYMI, being the feast of the
Sun, known as _aymuray_. In these feasts they took the chain out of the
House of the Sun and all the principal Indians, very richly dressed,
came with it, in order, singing, from the House of the Sun to the Great
Square which they encircled with the chain. This was called _moroy
urco_[87].
[Note 86: The months and the festivals which took place in each
month are given by several authorities. The most correct are those of
Polo de Ondegardo and Calancha who agree throughout. Calancha gives the
months as received by the first Council of Lima.
22 June--22 July. INTIP RAYMI (_Sun Festival_).
22 July--22 Aug. CHAHUAR HUARQUIZ--Ploughing month.
22 Aug.--22 Sept. YAPAQUIZ (SITUA _or Moon Festival_)--Sowing month.
22 Sept.--22 Oct. CCOYA RAYMI---Expiatory feast. Molina a month behind.
22 Oct.--22 Nov. UMA RAYMI--Month of brewing chicha.
22 Nov.--22 Dec. AYAMARCA--Commemoration of the dead.
22 Dec.--22 Jan. CCAPAC RAYMI (HUARACHICU _festival_).
22 Jan.--22 Feb. CAMAY--Month of exercises.
22 Feb.--22 March. HATUN POCCOY (great ripening).
22 March--22 April. PACHA POCCOY (MOSOC NINA _festival_).
22 April--22 May. AYRIHUA (Harvest).
22 May--22 June. AYMURAY (Harvest home).]
[Note 87: The great chain, used at festivals, is called by Sarmiento
Muru-urco. See also Molina. _Muru_ means a coloured spot, or a thing of
variegated colours. Molina says that it was the house where the chain
was kept that was called Muru-urco, as well as the cable. _Huasca_ is
another name for a cable (See G. de la Vega, ii. p, 422).]
XXXII.
PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI DEPOPULATES TWO LEAGUES OF COUNTRY NEAR CUZCO.
After Pachacuti had done what has been described in the city, he turned
his attention to the people. Seeing that there were not sufficient lands
for sowing, so as to sustain them, he went round the city at a distance
of four leagues from it, considering the valleys, situation, and
villages. He depopulated all that were within two leagues of the city.
The lands of depopulated villages were given to the city and its
inhabitants, and the deprived people were settled in other parts. The
citizens of Cuzco were well satisfied with the arrangement, for they
were given what cost little, and thus he made friends by presents taken
from others, and took as his own the valley of Tambo [_which was not
his_].
The news of the enlargement of this city went far and wide, and reached
the ears of Viracocha Inca, retired in Caquia Xaquixahuana[88]. He was
moved to go and see Cuzco. The Inca Yupanqui went for him, and brought
him to Cuzco with much rejoicing. He went to the House of the Sun,
worshipped at Huanacauri and saw all the improvements that had been
made. Having seen everything he returned to his place at Caquia
Xaquixahuana, where he resided until his death, never again visiting
Cuzco, nor seeing his son Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui.
[Note 88: This great plain to the north-west of Cuzco, called
Xaquixahuana, and Sacsahuana, is now known as Surita. Most of the early
writers call it Sacsahuana. Sarmiento always places the word Caquia
before the name. _Capuchini_ is to provide, _capuchic_ a purveyor. Hence
_Capuquey_ means "my goods," abbreviated to _Caguey_, "my property." The
meaning is "my estate of Xaquixahuana."]
XXXIII.
PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI KILLS HIS ELDER BROTHER NAMED INCA URCO.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui found himself so powerful with the companies he
had got together by liberal presents to all, that he proposed to
subjugate by their means all the territories he could reach. For this he
mustered all the troops that were in Cuzco, and provided them with arms,
and all that was necessary for war. Affairs being in this state
Pachacuti heard that his brother Urco was in a valley called Yucay, four
leagues from Cuzco, and that he had assembled some people. Fearing that
the movement was intended against him the Inca marched there with his
army. His brother Inca Rocca went with him, who had the reputation of
being a great necromancer. Arriving at a place called Paca in the said
valley, the Inca went out against his brother Urco, and there was a
battle between them. Inca Rocca hurled a stone which hit Urco on the
throat. The blow was so great that Urco fell into the river flowing down
the ravine where they were fighting. Urco exerted himself and fled,
swimming down the river, with his axe in his hand. In this way he
reached a rock called Chupellusca, a league below Tampu, where his
brothers overtook him and killed him.
From thence the Inca Pachacuti Yupanqui, with his brother Inca Rocca
marched with their troops to Caquia Xaquixahuana to see his father who
refused ever to speak with or see him, owing to the rage he felt at the
death of Inca Urco. But Inca Rocca went in, where Viracocha was and
said, "Father! it is not reasonable that you should grieve so much at
the death of Urco, for I killed him in self defence, he having come to
kill me. You are not to be so heavy at the death of one, when you have
so many sons. Think no more of it, for my brother Pachacuti Yupanqui is
to be Inca, and I hold that you should favour him and be as a father to
him." Seeing the resolution of his son Inca Rocca, Viracocha did not
dare to reply or to contradict him. He dismissed him by saying that that
was what he wished, and that he would be guided by him in everything.
With this the Inca Yupanqui and his brother Inca Rocca returned to
Cuzco, and entered the city triumphing over the past victories and over
this one.
The triumph was after this manner. The warriors marched in order, in
their companies, dressed in the best manner possible, with songs and
dances, and the captives, their eyes on the ground, dressed in long
robes with many tassels. They entered by the streets of the city, which
were very well adorned to receive them. They went on, enacting their
battles and victories, on account of which they triumphed. On reaching
the House of the Sun, the spoils and prisoners were thrown on the
ground, and the Inca walked over them, trampling on them and saying--"I
tread on my enemies." The prisoners were silent without raising their
eyes. This order was used in all their triumphs. At the end of a short
time Inca Viracocha died of grief at the death of Inca Urco, deprived
and despoiled of all honour and property. They buried his body in Caquia
Xaquixahuana.
XXXIV.
THE NATIONS WHICH PACHACUTI INCA SUBJUGATED AND THE TOWNS HE TOOK: AND
FIRST OF TOCAY CCAPAC, SINCHI OF THE AYAMARCAS, AND THE DESTRUCTION OF
THE CUYOS.
Near Cuzco there is a nation of Indians called Ayamarcas who had a proud
and wealthy Sinchi named Tocay Ccapac. Neither he nor his people wished
to come and do reverence to the Inca. On the contrary, he mustered his
forces to attack the Inca if his country was invaded. This being known
to Inca Yupanqui, he assembled his _ayllus_ and other troops. He formed
them into two parties, afterwards called Hanan-cuzcos and Hurin-cuzcos,
forming them into a corps, that united no one might be able to prevail
against them. This done he consulted over what should be undertaken. It
was resolved that all should unite for the conquest of all neighbouring
nations. Those who would not submit were to be utterly destroyed; and
first Tocay Ccapac, chief of the Ayamarcas, was to be dealt with, being
powerful and not having come to do homage at Cuzco. Having united his
forces, the Inca marched against the Ayamarcas and their Sinchi, and
there was a battle at Huanancancha. Inca Yupanqui was victorious,
assaulting the villages and killing nearly all the Ayamarcas. He took
Tocay Ccapac as a prisoner to Cuzco, where he remained in prison until
his death.
After this Inca Yupanqui took to wife a native of Choco named Mama
Anahuarqui. For greater pleasure and enjoyment, away from business, he
went to the town of the Cuyos, chief place of the province of Cuyo-suyu.
Being one day at a great entertainment, a potter, servant of the Sinchi,
without apparent reason, threw a stone or, as some say, one of the jars
which they call _ulti_, at the Inca's head and wounded him. The
delinquent, who was a stranger to the district, was seized and tortured
to confess who had ordered him to do it. He stated that all the Sinchis
of Cuyo-suyu, who were Cuyo Ccapac, Ayan-quilalama, and Apu Cunaraqui,
had conspired to kill the Inca and rebel. This was false, for it had
been extorted from fear of the torture or, as some say, he said it
because he belonged to a hostile tribe and wished to do them harm. But
the Inca, having heard what the potter said, ordered all the Sinchis to
be killed with great cruelty. After their deaths he slaughtered the
people, leaving none alive except some children and old women. Thus was
that nation destroyed, and its towns are desolate to this day.
XXXV.
THE OTHER NATIONS CONQUERED BY INCA YUPANQUI, EITHER IN PERSON OR
THROUGH HIS BROTHER INCA ROCCA.
Inca Yupanqui and his brother Inca Rocca, who was very cruel, had
determined to oppress and subdue all the nations who wished to be
independent and would not submit to them. They knew that there were two
Sinchis in a town called Ollantay-tampu, six leagues from Cuzco, the one
named Paucar-Ancho and the other Tocori Tupac, who ruled over the
Ollantay-tampus, but would not come to do homage, nor did their people
wish to do so. The Inca marched against them with a large army and gave
them battle. Inca Rocca was severely wounded, but at last the
Ollantay-tampus were conquered. [_All were killed, the place was
destroyed so that no memory was left of it_][89] and the Inca returned
to Cuzco.
[Note 89: This is untrue. The splendid ruins remain to this day. The
place was long held against the Spaniards by Inca Manco.]
There was another Sinchi named Illacumpi, chief of two towns four
leagues from Cuzco, called Cugma and Huata. Inca Yupanqui and Inca Rocca
sent to him to do homage, but he replied that he was as good as they
were and free, and that if they wanted anything, they must get it with
their lances. For this answer the Inca made war upon the said Sinchi. He
united his forces with those of two other Sinchis, his companions, named
Paucar Tupac and Puma Lloqui, and went forth to fight the Inca. But they
were defeated and killed, with nearly all their people. The Inca
desolated that town with fire and sword, and with very great cruelty. He
then returned to Cuzco and triumphed for that victory.
The Inca received information, after this, that there was a town called
Huancara, 11 leagues from Cuzco, ruled by Sinchis named Ascascahuana and
Urcu-cuna. So a message was sent to them, calling upon them to give
reverence and obedience to the Inca and to pay tribute. They replied
that they were not women to come and serve, that they were in their
native place, and that if any one came to seek them they would defend
themselves. Moved to anger by this reply, Inca Yupanqui and Inca Rocca
made war, killed the Sinchis and most of their people and brought the
rest prisoners to Cuzco, to force them into obedience.
Next they marched to another town called Toguaro, six leagues from
Huancara, killing the Sinchi, named Alca-parihuana, and all the people,
not sparing any but the children, that they might grow and repeople that
land. With similar cruelties in all the towns, the Inca reduced to pay
tribute the Cotabambas, Cotaneras, Umasayus, and Aymaracs, being the
principal provinces of Cunti-suyu.
The Inca then attacked the province of the Soras, 40 leagues from Cuzco.
The natives came forth to resist, asking why the invaders sought their
lands, telling them to depart or they would be driven out by force. Over
this question there was a battle, and two towns of the Soras were
subdued at that time, the one called Chalco, the other Soras. The Sinchi
of Chalco was named Chalco-pusaycu, that of Soras Huacralla. They were
taken prisoners to Cuzco, and there was a triumph over them.
There was another place called Acos, 10 or 11 leagues from Cuzco. The
two Sinchis of it were named Ocacique and Utu-huasi. These were strongly
opposed to the demands of the Inca and made a very strenuous resistance.
The Inca marched against them with a great army. But he met with serious
difficulty in this conquest, for the Acos defended themselves most
bravely and wounded Pachacuti on the head with a stone. He would not
desist, but it was not until after a long time that they were conquered.
He killed nearly all the natives of Acos, and those who were pardoned
and survived after that cruel slaughter, were banished to the
neighbourhood of Huamanca, to a place now called Acos[90].
[Note 90: Acobamba, the present capital of the province of
Angaraes.]
In all these campaigns which have been described, Inca Rocca was the
companion in arms, and participator in the triumphs of Inca Yupanqui. It
is to be noted that in all the subdued provinces chiefs were placed,
superseding or killing the native Sinchis. Those who were appointed,
acted as guards or captains of the conquered places, holding office in
the Inca's name and during his pleasure. In this way the conquered
provinces were oppressed and tyrannized over by the yoke of servitude. A
superior was appointed over all the others who were nominated to each
town, as general or governor. In their language this officer was called
Tucuyrico[91], which means "he who knows and oversees all."
[Note 91: _Tucuyricuc_, he who sees all. _Tucuy_ means all. _Ricini_
to see. Garcilasso de la Vega, I. lib. ii. cap. 14. Balboa, p. 115.
Montesinos, p. 55. Santillana, p. 17.]
Thus in the first campaign undertaken by Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui, after
the defeat of the Chancas, he subdued the country as far as the Soras,
40 leagues to the west of Cuzco. The other nations, and some in
Cunti-suyu, from fear at seeing the cruelties committed on the
conquered, came in to submit, to avoid destruction. [_But they ever
submitted against their wills_.]
XXXVI.
PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI ENDOWS THE HOUSE OF THE SUN WITH GREAT WEALTH.
After Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui had conquered the lands and nations
mentioned above, and had triumphed over them, he came to visit the House
of the Sun and the Mama-cunas or nuns who were there. He assisted one
day, to see how the Mama-cunas served the dinner of the Sun. This was to
offer much richly cooked food to the image or idol of the Sun, and then
to put it into a great fire on an altar. The same order was taken with
the liquor. The chief of the Mama-cunas saluted the Sun with a small
vase, and the rest was thrown on the fire. Besides this many jars full
of that liquor were poured into a trough which had a drain, all being
offerings to the Sun. This service was performed with vessels of clay.
As Pachacuti considered that the material of the vases was too poor, he
presented very complete sets of vases of gold and silver for all the
service that was necessary. To adorn the house more richly he caused a
plate of fine gold to be made, two _palmas_ broad and the length of the
court-yard. He ordered this to be nailed high up on the wall in the
manner of a cornice, passing all round the court-yard. This border or
cornice of gold remained there down to the time of the Spaniards.
XXXVII.
PACHACUTI INCA YUPANQUI CONQUERS THE PROVINCE OF COLLA-SUYU.
To the south of Cuzco there was a province called Colla-suyu or Collao,
consisting of plain country, which was very populous. At the time that
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui was at Cuzco after having conquered the
provinces already mentioned, the Sinchi of Collao was named Chuchi
Ccapac or Colla Ccapac, which is all one. This Chuchi Ccapac increased
so much in power and wealth among those nations of Colla-suyu, that he
was respected by all the Collas, who called him Inca Ccapac.
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui determined to conquer him from a motive of
jealousy, together with all the provinces of the Collao. With this
object he assembled his army and marched on the route to the Collao in
order to attack Chuchi Ccapac who waited for him at Hatun-Colla, a town
of the Collao where he resided, 40 leagues from Cuzco, without having
taken further notice of the coming nor of the forces of Inca Yupanqui.
When he came near to Hatun Colla, the Inca sent a message to Chuchi
Colla, requesting him to serve and obey him or else to prepare for
battle, when they would try their fortunes. This message caused much
heaviness to Chuchi Colla, but he replied proudly that he waited for the
Inca to come and do homage to him like the other nations that had been
conquered by him, and that if the Inca did not choose to do so, he would
prepare his head, with which he intended to drink in his triumph after
the victory which he would win if they should come to a battle.