The travels of Pedro de Cieza de Léon; part 2Cieza de León, Pedro de
History
The travels of Pedro de Cieza de Léon; part 2
Cieza de León, Pedro de
Incas; Peru -- History -- To 1548
Before the Incas reigned in these kingdoms, or had ever been heard of,
the Indians relate another thing much more notable than all things else
that they say. For they declare that they were a long time without
seeing the sun, and that, suffering much evil from its absence, great
prayers and vows were offered up to their gods, imploring for the light
they needed. Things being in this state, the sun, shining very brightly,
came forth from the island of Titicaca, in the great lake of the Collao,
at which every one rejoiced. Presently afterwards, they say, that there
came from a southern direction a white man of great stature, who, by his
aspect and presence, called forth great veneration and obedience. This
man who thus appeared had great power, insomuch that he could change
plains into mountains, and great hills into valleys, and make water flow
out of stones. As soon as such power was beheld, the people called him
the Maker of created things, the Prince of all things, Father of the
Sun. For they say that he performed other wonders, giving life to men
and animals, so that by his hand marvellous great benefits were
conferred on the people. And such was the story that the Indians who
told it to me say that they heard from their ancestors, who in like
manner heard it in the old songs which they received from very ancient
times. They say that this man went on towards the north, working these
marvels along the way of the mountains; and that he never more returned
so as to be seen. In many places he gave orders to men how they should
live, and he spoke lovingly to them and with much gentleness,
admonishing them that they should do good, and no evil or injury one to
another, and that they should be loving and charitable to all. In most
parts he is generally called _Ticiviracocha_,[66] but in the province of
the Collao they call him _Tuapaca_, and in other places _Arnauan_. In
many parts they built temples in which they put blocks of stone in
likeness of him, and offered up sacrifices before them. It is held that
the great blocks at Tiahuanacu were from that time. Although, from the
fame of what formerly had passed, they relate the things I have stated
touching Ticiviracocha, they know nothing more of him, nor whether he
would ever return to any part of this kingdom.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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