Ayar Cachi was the Ayar brother imprisoned in a cave during the migration toward Cusco. In the legend, his brothers feared his extraordinary strength and arranged for him to be trapped inside the cave at the group’s place of origin.
The Ayar brothers were said to have emerged with their sisters from Paqariq Tampu, a mythical origin site associated with the hill of Tampu T’uqu, or Tambotoco. Ayar Cachi possessed a powerful sling and could allegedly shatter hills with a single shot. His violent or uncontrollable behavior made the others worry that he would drive away the communities they hoped to rule.
Manco Cápac therefore sent him back to retrieve objects from the cave. Once Ayar Cachi entered, an accomplice named Tampu-Chacay sealed the opening with a rock. Some versions add that Ayar Cachi turned Tampu-Chacay to stone or continued to influence the landscape. The other brothers were Ayar Manco, Ayar Auca, and Ayar Uchu.