Who were the Chanca?
The Chanca were an ethnic group established in the Ayacucho region. They were divided into two halves, Hanan (upper) and Hurin (lower) and they used to say they had their origin or pacarina in the two lakes of Choclococha and Urcococha. They formed a crude people, they had conquered Andahuaylillas and their new goal was Cuzco.
The legend of the Chanca attack
Spies announced the proximity of the Chanca and they saw them arrive in disorder on the slope of the hill Carmenca, emitting shouts and raising their weapons. They wore their hair in small braids and their faces were painted red. In their euphoria they did not notice the holes and fell into them. A curaca named Chaņian Curi Coca of the ayllus of Choco-Cachona awaited the proximity of the enemy to attack and fought so valiantly that she triumphed in her zone. Even the stones placed by the priest entered in the fight. These were the pururaucas, mysterious allies of the Incas who sowed terror among the enemy troops. To decide the battle, Cusi Yupanqui went toward the Chanca chief Uscovilca, killed him, grasped the idol he kept with him and showed it to the Chancas who were demoralized and began to flee.
Later on, the Chancas began again but Cusi once again was triumphant, helped this time by his neighbors. The Incas pursued them and appropriated their booty which facilitated future Cuzco expansion.
The Chancas defeated, Cusi Yupanqui gathered up the plunder and the prisoners and set off toward the fortress where Viracocha and Urco were. In keeping with Inca custom, the sovereign must step on the spoils and the captured chiefs in the act of taking possession of the vanquished and their lands. Viracocha refused to do so and designated Urco as his regent and the one indicated to assume power.
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