song called Huari, the youths standing and the rest of the people seated. They returned to Cuzco, where the youths were flogged again in the great square. Then there was a curious ceremony. The shepherd of the llamas dedicated to the feast came with a llama, called Napa, draped in red cloth with golden earrings.[1] It was preceded by men blowing through sea-shells. The Suntur Paucar, insignia of the Inca, was brought out, and a dance was performed. The youths and their relations then returned to their homes and fed upon the roasted flesh of the sacrificial llamas.
The business of initiation continued through the month. The next event was the great foot-race. The youths passed the night in a gorge called Quilli-yacolvaca, the starting-place being a hill, two leagues from Cuzco, called Anahuarqui. Each held a staff called Tupac Yauri, mounted with gold or bronze. Here five lambs were sacrificed to the Creator and the sun, followed by songs. The course was a very long one, as far as Huanacauri, where the maidens were stationed, called Ñusta-calli-sapa, with supplies of chicha to refresh the exhausted runners. They kept singing a refrain: 'Come quickly, youths, we are waiting for you.' The youths stood in a row at the foot of the hill, numbering several hundreds. The starter was an official gorgeously attired, and as he dropped the Yauri about eight hundred aspirants
- ↑ Huaman Poma has a drawing representing the Inca speaking to the Napa, or sacred llama.
