These Ayamarcas[1] were at one time a very powerful tribe, in a mountainous region about twenty miles SSW. of Cuzco; while the Huayllacans were in a fertile valley between the Ayamarcas and that city.
In accordance with the agreement, a treacherous plot was laid. An earnest request was sent to the Inca that his heir, the young Cusi Hualpa, might be allowed to visit his mother's relations, so as to become acquainted with them. Quite unsuspicious, the Inca consented and sent the child, who was then about eight years of age, to Micucancha, or Paulu, the chief place of the Huayllacans, with about twenty attendants. The young prince was received with great festivities, which lasted for several days. It was summer time. The sun was scorching, and the child passed his time in a verandah or trellis work, called arapa, covered with bright flowers.
One day it was announced that the whole tribe must march to some distance to harvest the crops. As it was still very hot, the Huayllacan chief insisted that the young prince should remain in the shade, and not accompany the harvesters, who had to go a considerable distance under the blazing sun. The prince's attendants consented, and all
- ↑ Marca is a terrace or a village on a hill. Ayar was the title of Manco and his brothers. But Cieza de Leon, Garcilasso de la Vega, Sarmiento, and Salcamayhua leave out the r. It then becomes Aya, 'dead.' The month of October was called Ayamarca Raymi, Molina says, because the Ayamarcas held their chief festival in that month.
