When girls were 10 years old, they were gathered together in each village and divided into groups according to their beauty. The less attractive ones were kept in the village and became wives and mothers. The more beautiful ones were sent to convents in provincial capitals to be educated. Here they learned religion, chicha-manufacture, weaving and cooking. The most beautiful were chosen for sacrifice.
After education, they were again classified and some were given to the emperor and nobles as secondary wives. The others became the [G 12 / Mamacuna] `Virgins of the Sun' who promised permanent chastity in service to the emperor and the gods. They lived in the temples of the sun, wove the textiles used by the priests and prepared chicha beer for festivals. A high priestess, who was usually a noblewoman, oversaw the [G 01 / Acllacuna].
