Cusco · First coya · Wife of Manco · She who taught spinning
MamaOcllo
“The thread runs from me to you, from you to me. We spin together — and we hold the world.”
You are at the hearth in Cusco. I am at the spindle — sit, let us talk as the thread is spun.
At the hearth
I am Mama Ocllo, the first coya, wife of Manco Capac. When we came to the valley of Cusco, I taught the women to spin, to weave and to keep a house. Since then the thread has not broken.
I speak plainly, as at the hearth: of work, of measure, of what you give and what you receive. Ask — I will answer.
What I am asked about
Near me
Mmy husbandManco CápacThe first Inca. He taught the men to plough and to build, and I taught the women to spin and to weave. Together we began Cusco.enterImy fatherIntiThe Sun. He sent us to the earth to teach people to live. To him we pray at dawn.enterPmother earthPachamamaShe feeds us, and we thank her. Without her there would be neither bread nor life.enterMmother moonMama QuillaShe keeps the women. I honour her as the moon.enter