The Inca legend of the Ayar brothers tells the story of how they emerged from the Pacaritambo mountains after the great deluge that ravished the earth. Their names were Ayar Uchu, Ayar Cachi, Ayar Manco and Ayar Auca, and they came to the world accompanied by their wives.
After witnessing the devastation caused by the deluge, the Ayar brothers embarked on a journey from the Peruvian highlands to and unknown destination. They hoped to find fertile land where they could cultivate the earth and prosper. The brothers started fighting not long afterwards —and fight they did, until Ayar Marco was the only one left alive. He reached the Huanacaure mountain, to the south of Cusco valley, where he sank his golden cane and found good soil. Ayar Marco decided to stay, founding what would later grow to be the Inca Empire, also known as the Tahuantinsuyo.
Historians have interpreted this event as the conquest of the Cusco valley by Quechua tribes. The brothers represent the four tribes that entered what would later be the capital of the Incas —Qosqo or Cusco. The Masca tribe came out victorious from the fierce battle, becoming the founders of what would be known as the Inca Dynasty.
