Mama Ocllo

Mama Ocllo (in Quechua: Mama Uqllu) was the sister and main wife of the Inca Manco Cápac, the first ruler of the Inca culture, with whom he established the city of Cuzco. Likewise, he is the secondary character in the “Legend of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo”.

According to most of the stories, Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac were sent by Inti to help the Inca by expanding their knowledge after seeing how poorly they lived. Once the rod delivered by Inti was sunk, they began to instruct the people; together they taught people to build their houses better; Mama Ocllo taught the women the art of spinning, sewing, science, and domestic duties.

Origin

There are multiple variations on the origin of Mama Ocllo. A common version involves Mama Ocllo emerging with Manco Cápac from an island or cave in Lake Titicaca after Inti created them, although in some alternate versions the rest of her siblings, as well as ten ayllus, also emerge from the lake and all they travel together for a short time. Some myths represent the place of origin of Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac in the Rock of Origins, which is a place described as sacred. Some accounts also state that both Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac were children of Inti by Mama Quilla.

Another account tells how Inti created Mama Ocllo and her siblings, though this time they emerged from the middle of three windows in a cave known as Paccaritambo, and were given a signal as they approached the land they were supposed to be on. they were to be settled, rather than a stick to prick the ground.

Instead of Inti, a legend says that Mama Ocllo is the daughter of Huiracocha and Mama Cocha, which makes her Inti's sister.

There are historical accounts, including those recorded by Juan de Betanzos and Martín de Murúa, that describe Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac as leaders of a group of people (the Ayar clan) who came from the Tampu Tocco area.

Cuzco Foundation

According to the legend introduced by the Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Mama Ocllo and Manco Cápac were given a golden scepter to help them find an ideal place to settle and worship the sun. After their wanderings, the couple descended into a valley. They decided to build the city of Cuzco after the golden rod they brought sank into the ground and disappeared. The couple then set out to gather the people and took them to the city. They were instructed in the ways of the beings. humans and divided the population according to those who can gather food and build houses. The town also built the Inticancha (temple of the Sun), also known as the Intihuasi, in the center of the new city or, as some sources say, where the rod disappeared.

News

In November 2019, more than 200 artists from the Puno region, including ESFA Puno students and guests, gave life to the activity of the Legend of Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo, which as every year is part of the festivities programmed on the occasion of the anniversary of the Spanish foundation of Puno.