Reverence to their Kings, than the _Peruvians_: for there were never any
heard of in this Countrey that ever Rebell’d against their Prince; the
reason of which was chiefly, because they always Govern’d with great
Justice and Mildness, placing Governors over the respective Countreys
and Provinces, according to their several Divisions, greater or lesser,
with subordinate Power one under another, so that they Rul’d with great
strictness, punishing with Death both Drunkenness and Theft. Moreover,
the _Ingas_ observ’d a prudent way in Government, _viz._ They kept their
Subjects continually employ’d: The ordinary sort of Persons of subdu’d
Provinces were sent to remote Countreys, and the Governors thereof kept
at the Court in _Cusco_; and Princes Descended of the Royal Blood sent
in their Places to Govern the new gotten Dominions: they divided the
Inhabitants into Companies, plac’d one to Command over ten, another over
a hundred, and a greater Officer over a thousand, and at last a
_Prefect_ or Major-General, over ten thousand; every one of which
Officers were to bring in an Account every Week to the supream Governor,
who was always of the _Inga_’s Family, what Men dy’d of their number, or
how many were born, a present Estimate of every ones Stock, in Cattel or
otherwise, and all remarkable Transactions that hapned. On the high
Feast-day they were all to appear at Court, and to bring in the Revenues
gather’d out of their Substitute Countreys. The main Division of the
Countrey was into four grand Provinces, call’d _Tahucantinsuyos_,
according to the four Ways that went from _Cusco_ through the whole
Realm, _viz._ _Chinchasuyo_ towards the North, _Coclasuyo_ towards the
South, _Andesuyo_ towards the East, and _Condesuyo_ towards the West.
The Collectors were divided into _Hanansayos_, Upper-Collectors, and
_Urinsayos_, or Under-Collectors. The _Quipocomayos_, or Accomptants,
could cast up exactly with Buttons, not onely what every Province, but
also what each Man was to pay, and that according to the ability of the
Countrey and Person.
[Sidenote: Their stately Structures.]
Many were the stately Temples, invincible Castles, magnificent Palaces,
and other wonderful Structures built by the _Ingas_, the chiefest
whereof stood in _Cusco_, _Tiaguanaco_, and _Tambo_; the Builders
whereof were sent for by turns out of the adjacent Countreys, from which
they brought exceeding great Stones, most of them thirty eight Foot
long, eighteen broad, and six thick, which were so neatly joyn’d
together with Mortar or Iron-work, that a whole Edifice seem’d to be one
entire Stone. Their Bridges that led cross the Rivers were made of Flags
and Rushes, fastned to each Shore with great Ropes. The like Bridge lay
cross the deep Mouth of the Lake _Chicuito_, on which great Bundles of
the Rushes _Toto_ being ty’d together, and cover’d with Straw, so
strengthen’d the Bridge, that great Loads were safely carried over the
same.
[Sidenote: The great Riches of the _Ingas_.]
No Prince ever possess’d so much Riches and Splendor as an _Inga_ of
_Peru_, each Countrey presenting him with what was most esteem’d amongst
them; the _Chiches_ bringing Sweet-woods; the _Lucanas_, strong
Sedan-Carriers; the _Chumbibilcas_, brave Dancers; and so accordingly
every Countrey provided him with what they best esteem’d, besides the
usual Tributes which they paid.
Those which digg’d the Gold and Silver out of the Mines, had Meat,
Drink, and Clothing from the _Inga_, though at other times he enjoy’d
the Labors of his Subjects for nothing.
[Sidenote: Their several sorts of Tribute from conquer’d Countreys.]
When at any time he conquer’d a Countrey by force of Arms, he made them
pay from three several sorts of Tribute; the first was bestow’d in
religious Offices. Each _Guaca_ or Chappel receiv’d also a Revenue from
the late conquer’d Countreys, the Fruit of which serv’d for Offerings to
their chief God _Pachayachachu_, the Sun, their Thunderer _Chuquilla_,
and to the Souls of the Deceased, and for Food for the Priests. The
Religion through the whole Realm agreed with that which was observ’d in
_Cusco_. But the second Tribute fell to the _Inga_’s Family, or Relation
and Soldiers. Those who Till’d the _Inga_’s Ground, Sung before him in
Festival Clothes. That which could not be spent in the Court was laid up
in Store-houses for ten years together, against a scarcity should
happen. Aged People, Widows, and such as were decrepid, paid no Tribute.
The third part was for the Poor, which had every Year a piece of Ground
allow’d them to make use of as they pleas’d. In unfruitful Years they
receiv’d an Allowance out of the Store-houses before mention’d.
[Sidenote: Their Provision for the Poor.]
So likewise the Pasture, Meadows, and Arable Land was order’d for three
several Uses, one third for religious Uses, a second for the _Inga_’s,
and the last for the Poor. The Sheep being shorn on a certain Day,
yielded the Poor a certain quantity of Wooll to make them Clothes. As
soon as any Beast grew Mangy (which the _Peruvians_ call’d _Carache_)
they burnt them alive, so to prevent the spreading of it farther. Those
that belong’d to the _Inga_’s Family, wore all Clothes made of the
finest Wooll, and the coursest, call’d _Tabasca_, was distributed among
the Vulgar.
[Sidenote: Their Industry.]
Besides this good Order of Government, it is wonderful to observe the
_Peruvians_ manner of Living, each learning from their Infancy not onely
a Trade, but all things which they accounted necessary in House-keeping,
as Weaving, Tilling of Land, building of Houses, and making of Tools
requisite for both; so that they never made use of one another on any
Account. Moreover, Master Artists, who work’d more for Pleasure than
Gain, dwelt apart, being Silver-smiths, Painters, Musicians, and
Dancers.
[Sidenote: Their Habits.]
Their Habits were heretofore of one fashion through the whole Realm,
onely the Covering of their Heads were several, by which the People of
one Countrey were distinguish’d from the other, according to an
inviolable Law made many Ages since; some therefore wore thin Caps,
others broad Pleits, others little Hats, others round Bonnets, others
woven Caps, and the like.
[Sidenote: Their Post-Stages.]
Their Post-Stages, call’d _Chasquis_, were little Houses, each standing
a League and a half from one another, wherein dwelt certain Officers,
who with extraordinary speed convey’d the _Inga_’s Letters from one
_Chasquis_ to the other; after which manner in two days time they
convey’d a Letter a hundred Leagues. But since the _Spaniards_ conquer’d
this Countrey, that Convenience was lost, till the tenth _Peruvian_
Vice-Roy _Martin Enriques_ re-establish’d the same; for he allow’d a
Sallary to those Posts, that they might with speed convey all Letters
and Packets from one to the other, being distant, according to his
Establishment, four Leagues.
[Sidenote: Their severe Laws against Malefactors.]
Lastly, the _Ingas_ maintain’d strict Laws in criminal Affairs; for as
they did not neglect to encourage noble Atchievements (for whoe’re had
done a valiant Act in the Wars, was made Governor of a Countrey, or had
a certain quantity of Land given him, or Married one of the _Inga_’s
Family;) so likewise they severely punish’d all Malefactors: for
Murderers, Thieves, and Adulterers suffer’d Death without Mercy; yet
they allow’d store of Concubines, and it was free for any one to Lie
with his Neighbor’s Concubine, but Death to have to do with any Man’s
lawful Wife, who were serv’d by the Concubines.
[Sidenote: Their Marriages.]
When a Bridegroom Betrothed himself to his Bride, he gave her (and put
them on himself) a pair of Shoes call’d _Ajota_, not unlike those of a
grey Fryer, which were lin’d with Cotton if she were a Maid, but with
Leaves if a Widow, who nevertheless being generally younger than the
Man, was to Mourn a whole year in Black for her deceased Husband; till
the expiration of which time she was not to Marry another. Governors of
Provinces and other Officers of State receiv’d their Wives from the
_Ingas_, who enquiring out the beautifullest and most accomplish’d
Virgins they could hear of, put the _Ajota_ on their Feet, and gave them
to such Persons as they most fancied; after which if they committed
Adultery they were certainly put to death. The Marrying of Brothers and
Sisters was also forbid, till the Inga _Topa Yupangui_, Father to
_Guaynacava_ broke that Law, by Marrying his own Sister _Mamoello_, and
made an Order that the _Ingas_ onely should have that liberty; nay, when
he lay on his Death-bed, he strictly charg’d his Son _Guaynacava_ to
take his own Sister _Goya Cuissilmay_ to Wife; and this incestuous
Marriage produc’d _Huascar_ and _Attabaliba_, (though some say
_Attabaliba_ was begotten on a Concubine) in whose time the _Peruvian_
Kingdom went to ruine. _Guaynacava_ also permitted the common People to
Marry their Sisters of the Fathers side, but not of the Mothers.
[Sidenote: Their manner of living.]
The _Peruvian_ Houses were antiently for the most part light and small;
and for their Table they made but little preparation, satisfying
themselves with a little Beer made of Rice, Bread bak’d of _Maiz_, dry’d
Flesh, Fish, and Roots.
In their Wars they us’d Slings, Darts, Arrows, Lances, Pikes, Halberds,
Pole-Axes, and Shields.
[Sidenote: Their Funerals.]
Their Funerals were also solemnly kept, especially those of Persons of
Quality, the Corps was carried out on a brave Chair, from which he was
put into the Ground, with two of his Concubines whom he best affected,
and also three Servants, Gold and Silver Vessels, _Maiz_, and the Liquor
_Chica_, which the nearest Relation spurted into his Mouth through a
Cane; all which they did that the Deceased might make use thereof in the
other World. But before the Funeral the Relations Mourn’d over the Corps
several days, and after the Body was Interr’d, they plac’d the Picture
of the Deceased upon the Grave: but the meaner sort of People had the
Tools belonging to their Trade; and Soldiers their Arms plac’d on the
same.
[Sidenote: Their Religion.]
In their Religion they had various Fancies; their prime God _Viracocha_
bore several Denominations, and amongst others he was call’d
_Pacachame_, or _Pachayachachick_, by which he was signifi’d to be the
Creator of Heaven and Earth; as also _Usapu_, that is, _Wonderful_. In
honor to this _Pacachama_ stood formerly a magnificent Temple about four
Leagues from _Lima_, where the Ruines still manifest its former glory,
it being the Place where the Devil answer’d the Priests, who stood with
their Backs towards the Image of _Pacochame_, bowing their Heads to the
Ground, and showing many antick Tricks. The second Temple stood near
_Cusco_, in which the _Inga_’s had plac’d the Images of all the Gods and
Goddesses that were worshipp’d in _Peru_; and before each Image stood an
Altar: the chiefest of them, call’d _Puachao_, consisting of massie
Gold, was Dedicated to the Sun, on whose Forehead the Sun was Engraven
on a Plate, which afterwards fell into the Hands of the _Spanish_
Captain _Mancius Sierra de Lequizamo_; but because he lost the same one
Night at Gaming, this Proverb was rais’d upon it, _Lequizamo lost the
Sun before it rose_, because he got the Plate on which the Sun was
Engraven in the Afternoon, and lost the same in the Night: The Temple it
self, built of great Stones, curiously joyn’d together in _Mosaick_
Work, and within link’d with Golden Plates of a Finger thick, stood full
of Golden Chappels and Altars; round about it were several Galleries,
into which the Priests and Priestesses Chambers open’d. Near the River
_Ticiquaque_ a third Temple, Consecrated to the Sun.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: The various Idolatry of the _Peruvians_.]
This kind of Idolatry was common to the _Peruvians_, with several other
Nations of the antient _Heathens_, as hath been before observ’d, which
made them mock at the _Spaniards_ when they told them of a Crucifi’d
_Saviour_, saying they had a splendid God, who appear’d to them in glory
every Morning. In the third Temple near the River _Taciquaque_ in
_Peru_, which exceeded the other two, they worshipp’d Thunder by the
Name of _Chuquilla_, _Catuilla_, and _Intillapa_, which the _Peruvians_
believ’d to be a Man that Commanded the Air, and who being Arm’d with a
Club and Sling, throws down Rain, Hail, and Snow from the Clouds, and
shooting Bullets through the lower Region, causes Thunder and Lightning:
They worshipp’d him after the same manner as they did _Viracocha_ and
the Sun, with holding up of a thing like a Glove, and sometimes
Offering, especially in _Cusco_, living Children: Also they ador’d the
Earth of which they made the Goddess _Bathamama_; also _Mamacocha_, the
God of the Sea. The Rainbowe, which the _Ingas_ carried between two
Serpents for their Arms, was also religiously worshipp’d. Amongst the
Stars they imagin’d _Colca_, by us call’d _Aries_, or the _Ram_, as
chief; yet held several others of peculiar Denomination, in veneration,
of which they crav’d such things as they wanted. The Shepherds ador’d
the Star _Nereuchilla_ or _Capricorn_, whom they judge to Rule over the
Beasts. Others worshipp’d _Machacuay_ which the _European_ Astronomers
call the _Serpent_, as commanding Serpents and Dragons, that they might
receive no hurt from them. Tygers, Lyons, and Bears, were Rul’d by the
Star _Chuquichinchag_; wherefore those who would walk free from those
ravenous Beasts, lifted up folded Hands to the Constellations
representing the same. They believ’d that there was no Creature living
on Earth, whole Likeness the Heavens could not afford; and that those
which were on Earth were under the influence of those in Heaven: from
hence proceeded the Names of the Stars _Chacana_, _Topatatca_, _Mamana_,
_Mirma_, and others. They likewise attributed a kind of Divinity to
Fountains, Rivers, Rocks, Mountains, some kinds of Herbs, Roots, and
especially the _Papas_, of a strange shape, and had a veneration for all
manner of Creatures that were of an unusual form. When they travel’d
they strew’d Shoes, Plumes of Feathers, and _Cocoa_ in all cross Ways
and tops of Hills, by them call’d _Apachitas_; and if they want the
fore-mention’d things, then they throw a Stone for an Offering, from
whence it proceeds, that in all cross Ways, and on the tops of Hills,
lie heaps of Stones, which are accounted holy.
The like fond veneration of Stones the _Saracens_ are said antiently to
have had, upon a Tradition, That _Abraham_ had enjoy’d _Agar_ upon a
Stone, and that according to _Euthymius_ and _Libanius_, he ty’d his
Cammel to a Stone when he went to Offer his Son _Isaac_.
The Images of their deceased _Ingas_, which they call’d _Guaoiqui_, were
had in great honor, and carried with them to the Wars, and up and down
in Processionings, and call’d upon for fruitful Seasons.
[Sidenote: The _Peruvians_ believ’d the Immortality of the Soul.]
The Immortality of the Soul, the giving of Punishments to the Wicked,
and of Rewards to those that do well, was generally believ’d amongst the
_Peruvians_, but not the Resurrection of the Dead. Many suffer’d
themselves to be buried with their Friends, that they might accompany
them to the other World. When the Inga _Guaynacava_ was buried, above a
thousand of his Courtiers Sung several Songs, kept a great Feast, and
went with great joy to be buried with him, that so they might serve
their King on the other side of the Mountains. They Offer’d likewise a
great number of Children, and with their Blood cross’d their Faces from
one Ear to another: But this barbarous Offering was never us’d but at
the Death of prime Persons of Quality; for the meaner sort of People set
onely Meat on the Graves, and gave the Dead two Sutes of Apparel, put
Money in their Mouthes and Hands; for they believ’d that the Souls
ranging up and down from place to place, suffer’d many inconveniences.
[Sidenote: Their Oracle.]
[Sidenote: Their Nunneries.]
[Sidenote: Their Offerings.]
The _Peruvian_ Images consisted generally of Gold, Silver, Stone, or
Wood, all of them strangely deform’d: Some of them were said to give
Responces like the Oracle at _Delphos_ and _Dodona_, chiefly in the
Temple _Pacachama_, whose greatness is sufficiently manifest by the
Ruines of its Walls beyond _Lima_, where _Franciscus Pizarrus_ got an
invaluable Treasure. Each _Peruvian_ Province had a Temple, besides
which, in the Cities, Villages, and Hamlets, were Chappels of Ease, into
which the Priests went at Night with their Backs towards the Idol,
bended Heads and Bodies; in which posture they requested to know future
Events, and were many times answer’d (if we may believe their Reports)
in a terrible Voice. The great Temple at _Cusco_, wherein the _Ingas_
had plac’d all the _Peruvian_ Idols, is now turn’d into a _Dominican_
Cloyster. In each Province of _Peru_ was also a Nunnery (if we may so
term it) or Habitation of devoted Virgins, call’d _Allaguau_, i.e. _A
House of the Choicest_, over which Was plac’d a Governor nam’d
_Appopanaca_, to whom none durst deny their Daughters; some of which
were styl’d _Wives of the Sun_, and others Servant-Maids to the same:
The Wives Cloth’d in Embroyder’d Coats, adorn’d the Temple, whilest the
Maids kept clean the Walls and Floor. When they attain’d to fourteen
Years of Age, some were chosen out from the rest, and oblig’d to
perpetual Virginity and solitude of Life in their Chappels; which sacred
Obligation if they broke by suffering any to Lie with them, they were
buried alive after the manner of the Vestal Virgins, the Ceremony
whereof is related by _Plutarch_: Others were oblig’d to make daily
Offerings; others to make peculiar Sacrifices for the _Inga_’s Health,
and happy Events in War; many also were employ’d in the Court Service to
wait upon the _Inga_’s Wife or Concubines; and those being absolv’d from
their Vow, were oft-times Married to Courtiers. These Nunneries were
Endow’d with great Revenues from the _Chacaras_, or Church-Lands. Their
Offerings were (for sometimes they Offer’d to their Idols the highly
esteem’d Herb _Cocoa_, _Maiz_, several colour’d Plumes, Sea-Monsters,
Gold and Silver Images of Beasts, fine Clothes call’d _Cumbi_,
Sweet-wood, and Tallow to burn) either to have success in their
Journeys, Trades, or for the preservation of Health, or to obtain a
plentiful Harvest. But their usual Offerings were _Cuces_, a sort of
Toads, which were eaten by the _Peruvians_. When they were to do any
Business of consequence, then Persons of Quality kill’d their Sheep
_Pacos_, not without strange observation of the colour and number of
them, as also of the time; all which things well consider’d, they cook
the Sheep and laid it cross their right Arm, turn’d the Face thereof
towards the Sun, and mutter’d several words to themselves according to
the colour; for if it was spotted grey, they spoke to _Chuquilla_, or
Thunder; if white and short Fleec’d, to the Sun; if well Fleec’d, to
_Viracocha_. In _Cusco_ they Offer’d daily a short-fleec’d Sheep to the
Sun in this manner: Making a great Fire call’d _Vibbacaronca_, the
Priests threw the Sheep and four Baskets of _Cocoa_ into it. Their
Sacrifices _Cozocovicca_ and _Sapovicca_, to obtain Conquests, were also
very strange: for they gather’d out of _Puna_ (which is a desolate
place) several sorts of Brambles and Bushes nam’d _Ganilli_, which being
all set on fire, they went about the Fire with round Stones in their
Hands, on which were painted Serpents, Lyons, Toads, and Tygers, crying,
_Usachum, grant us Conquest_, together with this Prayer, _Destroy, O
Creator, the power of our Enemies Gods_; which said, several starv’d
Sheep were brought out, which for that reason they call’d _Urca_; whose
Hearts having torn out they began their Prayers afresh, saying, _Mighty_
Viracocha, _thus do thou pull out the Hearts of our Enemies_. For the
prosperity of the _Ingas_ they kill’d in an open Field black Dogs, by
them call’d _Appurucos_, whose Flesh was eaten with many Ceremonies by
People appointed for that purpose. They made Offerings also to the
Fountains, Rivers, Brooks, and Sea-shells, under pretence that those
Shells were Daughters of the Ocean, and the Ocean the Father of Streams
and Springs; when they had Sow’n their Fields, their Priests, chose to
that Office, went from House to House to gather such Offerings as every
one was pleas’d to give; which they laid at the Banks of several Sluces,
at the time when the Water began to rise there, thinking by that
Oblation to keep them from over-flowing their Lands, and washing away
their Seed. In all places where two Rivers joyn’d together they wash’d
themselves, having first bedaub’d themselves all over with stamp’d
_Maiz_, and afterwards look’d upon themselves as well purg’d from Sin;
which power they ascrib’d to their Baths. To strangle Children between
four and ten years of Age was never us’d, unless upon the _Inga_’s being
sick, or when he receiv’d the Royal Tassel, that from the death of the
Children he might receive Health, or Reign prosperously. The
fore-mention’d Nuns that were chose to attend on the King’s, were also
strangled when the _Inga_ was sick; nay, sometimes a Father would Offer
his Son to _Viracocha_, on the Sun-Priest’s suggestion, That by his
Son’s death he would recover from his Sickness, Praying to the
foremention’d Deity, that they would be pleas’d to save the sick Father,
because the Son had with his Death paid for his Fathers.
This kind of Cruelty the Devil seem’d to prompt the _Heathens_ to, by
making use of _Abraham_’s Example, who prepar’d his Son _Isaac_ for a
Sacrifice on Mount _Moria_; and that it was a Practice amongst the
antient _Ammonites_ and _Moabites_, and other _Heathens_ (by which even
the Children of _Israel_ were apt to be seduc’d) appears from the
Scripture it self: the Ceremonies of which bruitish Customs, with the
seven Brazen Chambers of _Moloch_, may be seen describ’d by _Rabbi
Solomon_.
[Sidenote: Their High Feasts.]
The high Feast _Capacrayne_, which the _Peruvians_ kept in the first
Moneth _Rayme_, agreeing with our _December_, deserves serious
observation: for as long as the Feast lasted, no Stranger was suffer’d
to Lodge in _Cusco_, whither they all flock’d again after the Feast was
over, to receive Cakes made by the _Mamaconas_ (an Order of Nuns) of
_Maiz_ and the warm Blood of a white Ram, and were distributed by
certain Priests (Extracted from the Royal Family _Iluqui Yupangui_) who
carrying them up and down in Golden Dishes, gave every one of a Company
one, saying at the delivery of it, _If you do not Reverence the Sun and_
Inga, _this Food will witness against you to your Ruine; but if you
worship them, then their Bodies will by this Pledge be united to yours_:
after which those that had eaten of the Cakes promis’d Obedience, and
thank’d the Sun and _Inga_ for their Food.
[Illustration]
[Sidenote: Their Manner of Confessions.]
[Sidenote: Their Penances.]
[Sidenote: The Esteem of their Soothsayers.]