PERUVIAN COMMUNION. 355 



The Mamaconas of the Sunne, which were a kinde of LlB - r - 

 Nunnes of the Sunne, made little loaves of the flower of 

 Mays, died and mingled with the blond of white sheepe, 

 which they did sacrifice that day; then presently they com 

 manded that all strangers should enter, who set themselves 

 in order; and the Priests, which were of a certaine lineage, 

 discending from Liuquiyupangui, 1 gave to every one a mor- 

 cell of these small loaves, saying vnto them that they gave 

 these peeces to the end they should be vnitcd and confede 

 rate with the Ynca, and that they advised them not to speako 

 nor thinke any ill against the Ynca, but ahvaies to beare 

 him good affection, for that this poece should be a witnesse 

 of their intentions and will, and if they did not as they 

 ought he would discover them and be against them. They 

 carried these small loaves in great platters of gold and 

 silver appointed for that vse, and all did receive and eate 

 these peeces, thanking the Sunne infinitely for so great a 

 favour which hee had done them, speaking wordes and 

 making signes of great contentment and devotion; protest 

 ing that during their lives they would neither do nor thinke 

 any thing against the Sunne nor the Ynca: and with this 

 condition they received this foode of the Sunne, the which 

 should remaine in their bodies for a witnesse of their fidelitie 

 which they observed to the Sunne and to the Ynca their 

 King. This maner of divelish communicating they likewise 

 vsed in the tenth moneth called Coyarayme, 2 which was Sep 

 tember, in the solemue feast which they called Cytua, 3 doing 

 the like ceremonies. And besides this communion (if it be 

 lawful 1 to vse this word in so divelish a matter) which they 

 imparted to all strangers that came, they did likewise send 

 of these loaves to all their Guacas, sanctuaries, or idolls, of 

 the whole Realme; and at one instant they found people of 

 all sides which came expresly to receive them, to whom they 



1 Lloquo Yupanqui was the third sovort ijrn of the Ynca dynasty. 



2 Ocoya Kavini. 3 Festival of Situa, 



