Note 436 — Chapter XC

The original followers and subjects of Manco Ccapac, the first Ynca of Peru, appear to have been called Quichuas, and hence the name of the language. The derivation of the word is doubtful. In Peru the hot tropical valleys are called Yunca, the lofty cold heights Puna, and the intermediate temperate region Quichua. Mossi suggests the following derivation of the word. Quehuani is “to twist” in Quichua, the participle of which is Quehuasca, “twisted;” and Ychu is “straw.” Hence Quehuasca-ychu, “twisted straw,” corrupted into Quichua; from the quantity of straw growing in this temperate region. Thus the Quichuas were the inhabitants of the temperate zone, between the Punas and the Yuncas; and they were the original followers of the first Ynca of Peru. Gramatica de la Lengua General del Peru, con Diccionario, por el R. P. Fray Honorio Mossi (Misionero) Sucre, 1857.