they were placed in authority over their vassals as agents of the Spanish Corregidores.[1] They wore their peculiar dresses down to the time of the rebellion of Tupac Amaru[2] in 1780, after which their use was prohibited. It is thus clear that the Ynca chiefs were permitted by the Spaniards to retain a portion of their authority, that they were encouraged to continue the use of their costumes in order to increase the magnificence of religious processions, and that some at least of the old Ynca customs were preserved by special enactments. Under these favourable circumstances, the chiefs would almost certainly preserve the memory of the former grandeur of their country, and encourage the people to recite the ancient songs and dramas, some of which would
- ↑ "Ordenanzas del Peru, por Don Francisco de Toledo, recogidas por el Lic. Don Tomas de Ballesteros" (Lima, 1685). Titulo VI. "De los Caciques Principales." By Ordenanza xix. the Caciques and principal people were ordered to dine in the plazas of the villages where their vassals were accustomed to assemble, because it was considered right that, in this, the ancient customs of the Yncas should be preserved, and that the chiefs should eat publicly with the poor Indians. By other Ordenanzas, in the same Titulo, the native chiefs were charged with the superintendence of the morals of the people, of the repair of andenes (terraces) and tambos (rest-houses on the roads), and with other similar duties.
- ↑ In the sentence of death on Tupac Amaru, pronounced by the Visitador Areche at Cuzco, on May 15th, 1781, all dresses used by the Yncas and chiefs were thenceforth prohibited, including the uncu or mantle, and the mascapaicha or head-dress. All documents relating to the descent of the Yncas were ordered to be burnt, the representation of Quichua dramas was prohibited, all pictures of the Yncas were to be destroyed as well as musical instruments, and the Indians were ordered to give up their national dress, and to clothe themselves in the Spanish fashion.—MS. penes C. R. M. Also printed in Angelis.
