Of the great province of Chincha, and how much it was valued in ancient times.

ABOUT two leagues beyond the fortress of Guarco is a rather large river called Lunahuana, and the valley which it forms is like all the rest. Six miles further on is the large and beautiful valley of Chincha, so far famed throughout Peru, as well as feared in former days by the other natives. When the Marquis Don Francisco Pizarro, with his thirteen companions, discovered the coast of this kingdom, it was said on all sides that Chincha was the fairest and best part of it. Thus it was that, by reason of the fame borne by the place, and without knowing the secrets of the soil, he sought from his Majesty the government of a territory extending from the river of Santiago or Tempulla to this valley of Chincha.[382]

As to the origin of the Indians of Chincha, they say that, in time past, a quantity of them set out under the banner of a valiant captain of their own tribe and arrived at this valley of Chincha, where they found many inhabitants, but all of such small stature that the tallest was barely two cubits high. The new comers being valiant, and the natives cowardly and timid, the former gained possession. They also affirm that all the natives perished, and that the fathers of the grandfathers of men now alive saw their bones in certain tombs which were as small as has been described.

These Indians thus became lords of the valley; they flourished and multiplied, and built their villages close together. They say that they heard a certain oracle near a rock, and that they all hold the place to be sacred. They call it Chincha and Camay. They constantly made sacrifices, and the devil held converse with the older men, and deceived them as he did all the other Indians. The principal chiefs of the valley, and many other Indians, have now become Christians, and a monastery of the glorious Saint Dominic has been founded in the valley.

But to return to our subject. They affirm that the Indians of this valley increased so rapidly in numbers and in power, that those of the other neighbouring valleys sought friendship and alliance with them as a great honour and advantage. Finding themselves so powerful, they are said to have set out to rob the provinces of the Sierra at the time that the first Yncas were founding the city of Cuzco. They are said to have done much mischief in Soras and Lucanas, and to have got as far as the great province of the Collao, whence, after having taken great spoils, and gained many victories, they returned to their valley. Here they and their descendants lived, given up to their pleasures and amusements, with over many women, and following the same rites and customs as the other tribes. The valley was so populous, that many Spaniards say, that when the Marquis conquered it, it contained more than 25,00 men. At present, I believe, that there are barely 500, such have been the strifes and misfortunes they have gone through. The lordship of this valley was also safe and prosperous until the valiant Ynca Yupanqui extended his rule in this direction. Wishing to bring the chiefs of Chincha under his rule, he sent a captain of his own lineage, named Ccapac Ynca Yupanqui, with an army of many Orejones and others, who reached the valley, and had several encounters with the natives. Not being able to subjugate them, the Orejones passed on; but in the time of Tupac Ynca Yupanqui, father of Huayna Ccapac, they were finally conquered, and from that time they obeyed the laws of the Lords Yncas; the villages of the valley were ruled by them, and great buildings and storehouses were erected for the King. The Yncas did not deprive the chiefs of their lordship, but his delegate lived in the valley, and the natives were ordered to worship the sun. Thus a temple was built, and many virgins and priests to celebrate festivals resided in it. But, notwithstanding that this temple of the sun was so pre-eminently established, the natives did not cease to worship also in their ancient temple of Chinchaycama. The Kings Yncas also sent Mitimaes into this great valley, and ordered that, during certain months in the year, the native chiefs should reside at the court of Cuzco. The chief of Chincha, who is still living, was in most of the wars which were waged during the time of Huayna Ccapac. He is a man of ability and good understanding for an Indian.

This valley is one of the largest in all Peru, and it is a beautiful thing to see its channels of water and groves of trees, and the great abundance of fruit, more especially the luscious and fragrant pepinos, not like those of Spain, although they bear some resemblance. These are yellow when the peel is taken off, and so delicious that it is necessary to eat many of them before a man is satisfied. In the thickets there are the same birds as have already been mentioned. There are scarcely any sheep of the country, because the wars between the Christians have caused their destruction. This valley yields plenty of wheat, and they cultivate vines which they have planted. The valley yields all the other things which have been planted by the Spaniards.

There were an immense quantity of burial-places made on the surrounding arid heights. The Spaniards opened many of them, and obtained a great quantity of gold. The native Indians were fond of dancing, and the chiefs went about with much ceremony and parade, and were reverenced by their vassals. After the Yncas established their rule, the natives copied many customs from them, adopted their dress, and imitated them in all other things as their sole lords.

The large population of this great valley has been reduced by the long civil wars in Peru, and because many natives have been taken away to carry burdens for the Spaniards (as is well known).