Conquest Of The Americas - Mister Dans Home Page

ACLLAS
Another class operating outside of the regular social hierarchy
were the so-called “chosen women,” or acllas.
Each year the emperor sent out to the provinces royal
inspectors to collect tribute to be paid to the state in the form
of girls.
From each village, the most beautiful between the ages of 10
and 12 were selected. Being chosen was considered a great
honour and represented a path of upward mobility in Incas
society.
These girls were taken to Cuzco and divided into several
classes based on their social standing, skills and perceived
beauty before being assigned to the aclla was (house of the
chosen women) in Cuzco or the provinces.
They never married, and violation of their chastity would be
punished by death. They spent their days tending the
temples.