The Yncas were accustomed to have a great feast at the weaning of their first-borns, but not at that of their daughters or younger sons, at least the ceremonies on those occasions were not so solemn as when the eldest was weaned; for the dignity of primogeniture was much considered among the Yncas, and all the vassals imitated their example.

They weaned their children at the age of two years and upwards, and at the same time they shaved off their first crop of hair, and gave them the name which they were henceforth to bear. On this occasion all the relations assembled, and selected one from amongst them to be godfather to the child, who gave the first clip to his god-child's hair. For scissors they used blades of stone, for the Indians had not invented scissors. After the godfather came the other relations, according to their age or rank, to give their clip to the weaned child's hair; and when he was shorn, they gave him a name, and presented the gifts they had brought, some offering wearing apparel, others sheep, others arms, others drinking cups of gold or silver if the child was of the royal family, but none of the common people could use those metals, except by special privilege.

As soon as the presentation of gifts was over, the ceremony of drinking began, for without it no entertainment was considered good. They sang and danced until night, and this festivity continued for three or four days, or more, according to the will of the child's relations.