Aquiminzaque

Aquiminzaque
zaque

Aquiminzaque, the last ruler of Hunza
Reign 1537–1540
Predecessor Quemuenchatocha
Successor Position abolished
Born unknown
Muisca Confederation
Died 1540
Hunza,
New Kingdom of Granada
Chibcha Aquim ó Quiminza
Dynasty Hunza
Map of the Muisca territory
Zaque reign in yellow

Aquiminzaque (Chibcha: Aquim ó Quiminza, died Hunza, 1540) was the last zaque of Hunza, currently known as Tunja, as of 1537. His zipa counterpart in the southern area of the Muisca was Sagipa. Aquiminzaque was for the Muisca what Túpac Amaru was for the Inca and as the Inca leader Aquiminzaque was executed by decapitation.

Biography

Aquiminzaque was the nephew of his predecessor, Quemuenchatocha, which reign he followed when on August 2, 1537 Quemenchatocha was taken prisoner to Suesca by the Spanish.[1][2]

Aquiminzaque was ruling over the northern area of the Muisca in present day Boyacá, Colombia in the years when the Spanish conquistadores were entering the highlands of the Muisca.

At first Aquiminzaque converted to catholicism but when he realized the true motives of the Spanish conquerors over the Muisca people he revolted against them and undermined the initial rule of Hernán Pérez de Quesada, brother of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Shortly after, in 1540, Hernán executed Aquiminzaque by public decapitation in Tunja.[3] The spectacle, meant as an example, was watched by the Muisca people and executions of other caciques of Toca, Motavita, Samacá, Turmequé and Sutamarchán followed.

The death of the last zaque meant the end of the Muisca Confederation.

Legacy

In Tunja, capital of the Boyacá department, a statue honouring Aquiminzaque (Monumento a la Raza Indígena) has been erected.[4]

See also

Spanish conquest of the Muisca
Muisca rulers, history of Colombia

References

  1. ↑ (Spanish) Biography of Aquiminzaque - Pueblos Originarios
  2. ↑ (Spanish) Muisca history - Banco de la República
  3. ↑ (Spanish) Public execution of Aquiminzaque in Tunja - Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas
  4. ↑ (Spanish) Statue honouring Aquiminzaque

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 12/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.