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Muisca [archive]

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Muisca

History: The Muisca civilization inhabited the regions of what is today Cundinamarca, Boyaca, and Bogota from around the 7th century to the Spanish conquest. They were one of the most organized and prosperous civilizations at the time the Spaniards arrived. They had a very structured socio-economic organization that revolved around the family, which was very important for them. They were organized in five different federations, each with a different number of tribes; but the bigger and more important two were the confederation of Hunza, and the confederation of Bacata. The leader of the confederation of Hunza was known as the Zaque and the leader of the confederation of Bacata was known as the Zipa. They also developed a complex set of laws known as the Nemequene in honor of the Zipa who developed it. The Nemequene was transmitted orally generation by generation and was the base of the social and political order. Unfortunately, during the Spanish colonization most people were killed, and those who did not oppose the Conquistadores eventually assimilated the new culture, as a result this amazing culture extinguished just few years after the Spaniards arrived.

Daily Life: One of the most important parts of their economy was agriculture; the Muiscas grew corn, cotton, potato, pumpkin, tobacco, coca leaves, avocado, and other vegetables typical from this region. They were hunters and fishermen as well; they hunted deer, rabbits, and other small animals. Due to variety of crops the Muiscas were able to harvest they developed markets to exchange products between federations. These markets were organized every four days.

Religion: The Muiscas had a rich religious life. They had several gods that represented the different forces of nature like the sun or moon. They were gifted goldsmiths too; they made many astonishing objects from gold and other metals like little figures, masks, and ornaments.

Best known features: Although the Muiscas are famous for their advanced cultural development and incredible organization, they are best known because of the legend of El Dorado. According to researches, the Legend of El Dorado originated from a religious ceremony the Muiscas practiced on a small lake called Guatavita, where to this date many people still think a big part of the gold from this culture is hidden.

Sources

Muisca. Electronic document, http://www.etniasdecolombia.org/indigenas/muisca.htm, accessed May 27, 2009.

Cultura Muisca. Electronic document, http://www.galeon.com/culturasamerica/Muiscas.htm, accessed May 27, 2009.

Los Muiscas. Electronic document, http://www.udistrital.edu.co/colombia/historia/muiscas.php, accessed May 27, 2009.

Muiscas, la Gente y el Oro en la cordillera oriental. Electronic document, http://www.banrep.gov.co/museo/esp/s_muisca.htm, accessed May 28, 2009.

Additional Reading

Muisca
Chibchan Languages
Peru Indians

Muisca [archive]

Muisca

Sources

Additional Reading

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