We proceed to treat of the other great civilized people of America, the Peruvians (Quichuas and their nearest relatives the Aymaras), and shall include with them several neighboring tribes, the MONOS, Chiquitos, etc., although they are probably not closely related.
Cosh/inc.—The costumes of all these peoples are shown on Plate 5o (jigs. 3, 9), Plate 51 (figs. I, 4, 5), Plate 53 (fig. IS). The Peruvians before the subjugation wore garments of cotton, the women wearing long skirts, the men shirt-like over-garments which reached to the knee. The Moxos still wear such garments, either of cotton or of the fibres of the fig tree (p1. 51, jig. 4). The costume of the king (Inca) and of the nobility was different from that of the people; on Plate 52 (fig. 1) we see an Inca, but probably not without a later European modification of the costume. I Iis principal distinction was a crest of feathers on his frontlet and a red tassel on his forehead. The nobles wore a similar tassel on the left ear, and all persons of rank wore heavy ear-drops.
Government and constitution was similar to that of Mexico, the king being an absolute monarch and sacred person; a nobility of various grades stood between him and the oppressed people. The religious views of the Peruvians (Onichuas and Aymaras) resembled those of the other tribes of America; they had one supreme God, whom they worshipped as a pure spirit, although they erected temples in his honor and made offerings to him. The sun was extensively xvorshipped as the family god of the Incas, who wore its image as an ornament (pl. 52, fie-. There were also many other gods, amongst which the moon, the ocean, the earth, and an evil spirit in the interior of the earth—the Mexicans likewise believed in such a being—besides a number of ele mentary spirits, deserve mention. We find here, too, legends of the Cre ation and the Deluge, as also stone giants (p1. 38, fig. 8) like those whose acquaintance we made above (p. zoo); likewise spirits in the forms of animals and plants, abstract deities of the different trades, and worship of the souls of former sovereigns, some of whom seem to have been deified.
It is remarkable that here, as well as in Mexico, the cross was used as a sacred symbol UV 52, fig. t) before the advent of the Europeans, and was utilized as an ornament in architecture also—for instance, in the temple (p1. 52, fig. 2)—but of greater importance is the fact that here too was found that pious and sincere faith which so frequently distinguished the American Indians. This was exhibited in the magnificent temples which they erected everywhere; in the great respect paid the priestly hierarchy and the cloistered Virgins of the Sun; in the religious feasts, at which confession of sins, fasting, and severe penance were practised.
Sacrinces.—Their sacrifices were numerous, and consisted of flowers, fruits, animals (often in large numbers), articles of value, and on espe cially important occasions of human beings, who were generally willing victims. Sacrifices were offered in the temples or on certain stone
pyramids with broad flat tops, easy of access, where they also recited their prayers (pl. 52, fig. 8). There were other less prominent altars in the open air, especially near ponds and springs, as they believed man to have proceeded from the water, and at spots where passers-by would be likely to offer gifts (p1. 53, fig. 14).
Idols.—Idols were numerous. The large stone image (p1. 53, fig. 16) of Tiahuanuco (south of Lake Titicaca), which is of excellent workman ship, is especially interesting. It is in a crouching posture (comp. p1. 5o, figs. 5-8; 52, fig. 5), one hand on the knee, in strange costume, with a necklace of buttons, some of which are also displayed on the turban. The lines under the mouth suggest tattooing (comp. pl. 40, figs. 1, 3). Inferior gods of a domestic character called canofia, made of gold, silver, etc., are found everywhere; they are represented with long ears, because the people of rank, in consequence of their heavy ear-ornaments, were also long-eared (p1. 52, 4; b1 53, fig. 2); while the thick head reminds us of the national peculiarity of the Peruvians (comp. pl. 50, fig. 1).
Earthen Vessels and Utensils.—The shape of many of their earthen vessels, which they made very gracefully, possessed a religious signif icance. A specimen is illustrated on Plate 53 (fig. r). Maize was believed to be sacred, its divinity finding various representations (p1. 53, fig. 2); and such, we may suppose, was that on the handle of a vessel (p. 53, fig. t), consisting of a head made entirely of spikes of maize. The vessel shown on Plate 52 (fig. 5) represents a priest with a sacrificial cup; his strange attire, a hooded gown with bright-colored belt, and his crouch ing praying posture (comp. pl. 42, fig. 4), deserve attention. Figure 7 (p1. 53) may be similarly interpreted, perhaps as being a pious pilgrim; and so too we may recognize religious significatious in the ornaments on Plate 52 (Jig. 7), Plate 53 (Jigs. 3, 8, 1o, 15). The Peruvians were very skilful, and exhibited great taste in the manufacture of their vessels, which were often double (i5/. 52, fig. 6) and even quadruple. Their work in metal, by dint of good methods of smelting, despite their unskilful mining shows some remarkable results in the way of utensils (S/. 53, jigs. 1, 3-6) and artistic objects (f/. 52, figs. 11-13; J5/. 53, fig. 2). For their sun-temples, which were covered with golden tiles, their gold smiths manufactured chairs and entire gardens of gold, held sacred to the sun, and of silver, which were sacred to the moon. Together with these utensils we note also their weapons, among which were slings, spears, wooden shields, and lassoes.