Of the Indian villages between the buildings of Tumebamba and the city of Loxa, and concerning the founding of that city.

SETTING out from Tumebamba, in the direction of Cuzco, the great road passes through the province of the CaÑaris, until it reaches CaÑaribamba and the buildings a little further on. Villages belonging to the same province are seen on either hand, and to the eastward there are mountains, on the other side of which the country, which is inhabited, slopes down towards the river MaraÑon. Beyond the boundary of these CaÑaris Indians is the province of the Paltas, in which there are some buildings now known as “the stones,” because many are to be seen which the Yncas, in the time of their power, had sent to their superintendents or delegates. These tampus[316] were ordered to be built, because the province of the Paltas was considered important. They were extensive and handsome, the masonry being well executed. The quarry whence the stones were brought is near the source of the river of Tumbez. Here the tribute was collected, which the natives were obliged to pay to their king and lord, or to the governors in his name.

To the westward of these buildings is the city of Puerto Viejo, and to the eastward the province of Bracamoros,[317] where there are vast territories and many rivers, some of them very great and powerful. There is hope that by marching for twenty or thirty days, a rich and fertile land will be reached. But there are great forests in the way, some of them very frightful and dangerous. The Indians go naked, and are not so intelligent as those of Peru, nor were they subdued by the Kings Yncas. They are not so civilised, nor have they any polity, any more than the Indians subject to the city of Antioquia, or to the town of Arma, or those in the government of Popayan. These Indians of the province of Bracamoros resemble those mentioned above in their customs, and they are said to be very valiant warriors. Even the very Orejones of Cuzco confess that Huayna Ccapac turned and fled before their fury.

The captain Pedro de Vergara was occupied for some years in making discoveries and conquests in this region, and founded a settlement in it; but the troubles of Peru prevented its complete exploration, and the Spaniards entered it two or three times in the course of the civil wars. Afterwards the president, Pedro de la Gasca, sent the captain Diego Palomino, a citizen of the town of San Miguel, to undertake this discovery. When I was in the City of the Kings, certain conquerors arrived to give an account of what they had done for the said president and the judges. As the doctor Bravo de Seravia, a judge of the Royal Audience, is very curious, they gave him a particular account of what had been discovered. In truth, any captain who set out in that direction with a sufficient force, would bring to light a very rich land, as I learn from the reports I have heard. But, although I have heard that the captain Diego Palomino settled in those parts, yet I shall say no more, as I have not obtained any certain intelligence, and what I have already said is sufficient for the understanding of what may have been done.

The distance from the province of CaÑaris to the city of Loxa (which is also called La Sarza) is seventeen leagues, the whole road being rugged or boggy, and half way is the town of the Paltas, as I have already said. Soon after leaving the building of “the stones,” an ascent commences which lasts a little more than ten leagues. Here it is very cold, and at the end of the descent there is another building called Tamboblanco, whence the royal road leads to a river called Catamaya. On the right-hand side, near the same river, is the city of Loxa, which was founded by the captain Alonzo de Mercadillo, in the name of his Majesty, in the year of our Lord 1546.[318]

There are numerous villages around the city of Loxa, and the natives have almost the same customs as those in the neighbouring districts. They wear a particular fringe, or band, on their heads to distinguish them. They performed sacrifices, and worshipped the sun as well as other more common objects, but, like the other Indians, they believed in a Creator of all things. As regards the immortality of the soul, they all understand that man is composed of something more than the mere mortal body. When their chiefs die, deceived by the devil, in common with all the other Indians, they bury women alive with the bodies. Now, however, as some of them understand that it profits nothing to persevere in their ancient evil practices, they will not kill women by burying them with dead bodies, nor are they now so particular in this matter of sepulture. Indeed, they laugh at those who still continue the customs which their ancestors considered of such importance. Not only do they refrain from spending so much time in making these tombs, but, on the approach of death, they desire to be interred like Christians in small and humble graves. This is done by those who, having been washed in the most holy water of baptism, deserve to be called the servants of God and the sheep of his pasture. But there are many thousands of old Indians who are now as bad as they ever were, and will continue to be so until the goodness and mercy of God brings them to a true knowledge of his laws. These desire their bodies to be placed in secret places, far from the roads and villages frequented by Christians, on lofty mountains, or amidst snow-covered rocks, wrapped in richly-coloured mantles, with all the gold they possess.

Most of the villages subject to the city of Loxa were under the rule of the Yncas, ancient lords of Peru, who (as I have said in many parts of this history) had their court in the city of Cuzco, which was always the capital of these provinces; and, notwithstanding that many of the natives were dull and stupid, they abandoned their barbarous ways, and became more civilised by contact with the Yncas. The climate of these provinces is pleasant and healthy, and in the valleys and on the banks of rivers it is more temperate than on the mountains. The cultivated part of the mountains is good land, but rather cold, and the snowy rocks and desert places are intensely so. There are many guanacos and vicuÑas, which are like their sheep; and partridges, some a little smaller than domestic fowls, and others larger than doves. On the banks of the rivers there are flowering shrubs, and many fruit trees of the country. The Spaniards have now planted pear, fig, orange, and other trees of Spain. In the district of Loxa they also breed large herds of swine of the Spanish sort, goats, and sheep, for there is excellent pasture and many streams of water flowing in all directions, which descend from the mountains. There are hopes that the district may contain rich mines of gold and silver, and some have already been discovered. The Indians, now that they are secure from the turmoils of war, and are the masters of their persons and property, raise many Spanish fowls, pigeons, and other birds. Pulses grow well in the district.

The natives of the country round Loxa are of middle height, and dress in shirts and mantles, both men and women. Within the forests, it is affirmed by the natives that there are numerous tribes rich in gold, and some large rivers. These tribes go naked, both men and women, for the country is hotter than Peru, and was never subjugated by the Yncas. The captain Alonzo de Mercadillo, with a force of Spaniards, set out in the year 1550 to verify these reports.[319]

The situation of the city of Loxa is the best and most convenient that could be found within the province. The repartimientos of Indians held by the citizens were first obtained in encomienda by those who were in Quito and San Miguel. As the Spaniards who travelled by the royal road, to go to Quito and other parts, ran risks from the Indians of Carrochamba and Chaparra, this city was founded; and, notwithstanding that Gonzalo Pizarro had ordered it to be peopled while he was engaged in his rebellion, still the president Pedro de la Gasca, considering that it would be for the service of his Majesty that it should not be abandoned, approved of its being founded, and after the judgment on Gonzalo Pizarro, he gave Indians to the settlers. It appears to me that I have now said enough concerning this city, so I shall pass on, and treat of the other cities in this kingdom.