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.