Page:The Incas of Peru.djvu/164

130 young maidens also came, aged from eleven to fourteen, of the best families, carrying vases of chicha. They were called Ñusta-calli-sapa, or princesses of unequalled valour. The images of the deities were brought out, and the youths and maidens, with their relations, were grouped around.

The Inca came forth, and the youths obtained permission from him to sacrifice to Huanacauri. Each had a llama prepared as an offering, and they all marched, with their relations, to the sacred hill. That night they slept at a place called Matahua, at the foot of the hill. At dawn next day they delivered up their offerings to the and ascended the hill, still fasting. This was the prayer they offered to the Huanacauri:

' our Father, may the Creator, the Sun, and the Thunder ever remain young, and never become old. May thy son, the Inca, ever retain his youth, and grant that he may prosper in all his undertakings. To us, thy sons, who now celebrate this festival, grant that we may be ever in the hands of the Creator and in thy hands.'

Bags called chuspas were then given to the youths, and breeches made of aloe fibre and sinews of llamas, called huara. The youths then marched to a ravine called Quirirmanta, where they were met by their relations and severely flogged to try their endurance. This was followed by the