(n) The second official ceremony in the life of the
individual [the first is ayuscay]
taking place when the child was weaned and consisted of cutting the
hair. Preceded by religious rites, the haircutting was started by the
oldest maternal uncle who was followed by each of the other adult men
of the ayllu who, in their own turn, would
cut a lock of hair and deliver a personal gift or donation, usually
consisting of a piece of clothing or a toy. Sometimes these presents
could be of great economic value and, if the child belonged to a very
important family, the wealth accumulated at this ceremony could be
fabulous. It is said that on such an occasion a son of Huayna Capac,
the child Tupac Cusi Huallpa, received such a large quantity of gold
objects, that his father ordered the manufacture of a large chain,
which was called huasca, from this metal after which the child
was nicknamed Huascar [Wascar],
a name he used from then on. On the rutuchico the child received a
second name, which was usually derived from his father’s or that of a
parental ancestor. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page. Ceremonial
first cutting of the hair; the ritual is of pre-Spanish origin. RORROR · Rituals of Respect, Bolin
Performed when the child reaches one year of age. HOIHOI · History of the Incas, Sarmiento de Gamboa
The hair and nails were cut by the most venerable uncle of the child
using sharpened stones. There was dancing and drinking; gifts were
given according to the child’s station in life. ACAACA · Ancient Civilizations of the Andes, Means
An initiation ritual marking the transition from crawling to
walking. MOCMOC · Mountain of the Condor: Metaphor and Ritual in an Andean Ayllu, BastienSee, also,
other important childhood rites: ayuscay,
quicuchicuy, huarachicuy.