Atanquez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Atanquez
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Location in the municipality of Valledupar.
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| Country | Colombia |
| Department | Cesar |
| Municipality | Valledupar |
| Founded | Pre-Columbian |
| Officially established | 1781 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Corregimiento |
| Time zone | UTC-5 |
| Website | www.atanquez.com |
Atanquez, also called San Sebastian, is a town in Colombia. It is a special kind of local area called a corregimiento within the city of Valledupar. Atanquez is found high up in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. It sits about 2,000 meters (6,560 feet) above sea level.
Atanquez is special because many of its people are from the Kankuamos indigenous group. There are also other indigenous groups and mestizo people, who have mixed European and indigenous backgrounds.
History of Atanquez
Atanquez started as a settlement for indigenous people. Oral traditions say it was founded by a spiritual leader called a Mama, named Tukaka.
In the mid-1700s, the Spanish had already taken over the flat lands around the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains. They then decided to move into the mountains too. They re-established the existing indigenous villages, including Atanquez.
Other villages like Maraocaso and El Rosario also grew. This happened because people from groups like the Chimila and Guanebucanes were forced to leave their homes. This displacement occurred during the Spanish conquest in the 1500s.
The Kogui indigenous group called these people "Wiwa". The Arhuaco group called them "Arzario".
Former African slaves also settled in Atanquez. They formed a community known as the "Palenque of Atanquez".
The Spanish sent religious leaders, called Capuchin and Dominican friars. Their goal was to "civilize" the indigenous people. They renamed the settlement San Sebastian. This was done by an order from the Royal Audience of Santa Fe de Bogota in 1781.
Atanquez officially became a corregimiento of Valledupar on January 4, 1906. This was ordered by the Mayor of Valledupar at the time, Moisés Martínez.
Later, Atanquez also became part of the Kankuamo indigenous Resguardo. A Resguardo is a special territory set aside for indigenous communities. This was created in 2003 by the Colombian Institute of Agrarian Reform (INCORA).
Challenges in the Region
Between 1986 and 2003, the region around Atanquez faced many challenges. This was due to a period of conflict in Colombia. During this time, the Kankuamo people in the area suffered greatly. Many lives were lost, and the community experienced difficult times.
Economy
The people of Atanquez mostly earn their living through farming. They also create beautiful indigenous art crafts.
Some of the main products they grow and sell include:
- Panela: A type of unrefined whole cane sugar.
- Liquor: Made from maize (corn) and sugar cane.
- Fique: A natural fiber used to make ropes and bags.
- Medicinal plants: Plants used for traditional medicine.
- Local fruits and vegetables.
- Cacao: Used to make chocolate.
- Coffee: Which they sell in Valledupar.
See also
In Spanish: Atánquez para niños
