Muisca

The Muisca (also known as the Chibcha) are an indigenous tribe originally inhabiting the mountain plains of eastern Colombia, a territory that includes the modern-day capital, Bogotá. In modern memory, the Muisca are most famous for their association with the El Dorado legend: they had a ritual where they would cover their future chieftain in gold dust and bring him out to the middle of Lake Guatavita. They also made material offerings to this lake, which further fueled the legend of El Dorado. After encountering the Muisca, the Spanish sent out multiple expeditions, believing that there was a large city of gold waiting to be found.

Before the Spanish arrived in 1537 CE, the Muisca flourished in the highlands. The earliest evidence of this civilization dates to roughly around 600 CE. As indicated by the El Dorado myth, the Muisca were known for their intricate gold work and ceramic art. They had a strong religious tradition, which they practiced at locations such as the beautiful Sun Temple of Sogamoso. Agriculturally, their major crops included maize, potatoes, beans, and chilies. The Muisca also grew various fruits and vegetables, as well as tobacco and cotton, and mined large salt deposits.

The Muisca were divided into two major territories: the northern territory was called Hunza and was ruled by the Zaque; while the southern territory was called Muyquytá and was ruled by the Zipa. From a military history perspective, the Zipa and Zaque were locked in constant conflict. One of the earliest and largest recorded battles between the Zipa, Saguamanchica, and the Zaque, Michuá, occurred at Chocontá in 1490 CE, in which both monarchs were killed. Conflict between the two groups continued for the next fifty years, before the Spanish arrived and overwhelmed both groups.

Elite Muisca soldiers were called Guecha warriors. These men could gain significant social status through military victories, sometimes being awarded their own chiefdoms after major triumphs. They carried a variety of weapons, but commonly utilized javelins in conflict, along with long shields for defense. Perhaps the most unique tradition associated with the Guecha warrior is the mummification of dead Guecha warriors. Other soldiers would carry these mummies into battle, believing that the dead warrior’s body could provide their bearers with strength, fierceness, and prowess in battle.

When the Spanish arrived in 1537 CE, roughly 500,000 Muisca people were living in the Colombian mountain plains. Seeking emeralds and gold, the Spanish first encountered the Zipa at a salt mine in Nemocón, where they soundly defeated an army of 600. They then turned their attention to the Zaque, a man named Quemuenchatocha. He tried to bribe the Spanish to stay out of his kingdom, but to no avail. The Spanish found Quemuenchatocha sitting inside his palace at Hunsa, adorned in gold and jewels. They questioned him, seeking the location of the rest of his wealth, but Quemuenchatocha refused to tell them where it was hidden. Quemuenchatocha died later that year, leaving the Spanish to fruitlessly search for the lost city of the Muisca kingdom – El Dorado.