Battle of Chocontá facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Battle of Chocontá (~1490) |
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| Part of Muisca Confederation wars | |||||
 Battle of Chocontá by Lucas de Piedrahita (1676) |
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| Belligerents | |||||
| Zipazgo of the southern Muisca | Zacazgo of the northern Muisca | ||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||
| Saguamanchica † | Michuá † cacique of Guatavita |
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| Strength | |||||
| ~50,000 | ~60,000 | ||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||
| unknown | unknown | ||||
The Battle of Chocontá was a major fight between two important groups of the Muisca people in ancient Colombia. It happened around the year 1490 near a place called Chocontá. This battle was part of a long disagreement between the northern Muisca and the southern Muisca. About 50,000 southern Muisca warriors, led by their ruler Saguamanchica, fought against 60,000 northern Muisca troops. The northern army was led by their ruler Michuá, who also had help from the leader of Guatavita.
Who Were the Muisca?
Many years ago, before the Spanish arrived in Colombia in 1537, the central highlands were home to the Muisca people. They were divided into two main groups: the northern Muisca and the southern Muisca.
Even though they were part of the same larger group, they often fought. They wanted to control more land and gain access to valuable resources. These resources included gold, copper, and shiny emeralds.
Muisca Territories
The northern Muisca lived in the area that is now the Boyacá Department. Their main city was Hunza, which is known today as Tunja.
The southern Muisca lived in what is now the Cundinamarca Department. Their capital city was Bacatá, which later became the big city of Bogotá.
The Battle of Chocontá
The southern Muisca warriors, led by Saguamanchica, gathered near Chocontá. They were ready to face Michuá's northern army. The battle was very intense and lasted for three hours. It was known as an extremely bloody fight.
During the battle, both leaders, Saguamanchica of the south and Michuá of the north, were killed. In the end, the southern Muisca army won the battle. After the fight, Quemuenchatocha became the new ruler of Hunza, and Nemequene took over as the new leader of Bacatá.
This battle was one of the first Muisca wars that was written down by a historian. His name was Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita.
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Chocontá para niños
