CHAPTER V - THE SERVICE AND ORNAMENTS OF THE VIRGINS, AND HOW THEY WERE NEVER GIVEN IN MARRIAGE TO ANY ONE

Summary

Those who were set apart for the reigning King were, when he died, called the mothers of his successor, and then received the name of mama-cuna with more propriety, because they had become mothers. These taught and had charge of the concubines intended for the new king, as if they had been their daughters-in-law. Each convent had its governor, who was obliged to be an Ynca, as well as a steward, a caterer, and other necessary officers to superintend the service of the king's women, who, although concubines, were called wives. In all the houses of virgins selected for the king, the utensils were of gold and silver, as in the houses of virgins of the Sun and in the famous temple, and also (as we shall presently relate) in the royal palace. In short, it may be affirmed that all the wealth of gold and silver and jewels, that was found in that empire, was used in no other way than in the adornment and service of the numerous temples of the Sun and convents of virgins, and of the royal palaces. The quantity used by the Curacas was small, being only for drinking cups, and these were limited in size and number, according to the privilege that the Ynca may have granted to each. Another small quantity was used on the robes with which they celebrated the great festivals.