Battle of Chocontá facts for kids
The Battle of Chocontá was an important fight between two big groups of the Muisca people in ancient Colombia. It happened around the year 1490 near a place called Chocontá. About 50,000 southern Muisca warriors, led by their ruler, the zipa Saguamanchica, attacked 60,000 northern Muisca troops. The northern army was led by their ruler, the Zaque Michuá, who had help from the Cacique of Guatavita.
Why Did They Fight?
Many years before the Spanish arrived in Colombia in 1537, the central highlands were ruled by two main Muisca groups. These were the northern Muisca, called the zacazgo, and the southern Muisca, called the zipazgo.
Even though they were part of the same Muisca group, they often fought. They wanted to control more land and get important resources. These resources included valuable things like gold, copper, and shiny emeralds.
The northern Muisca lived in the area that is now the Boyacá Department. Their capital city was Hunza, which is now called 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, known as guecha warriors, gathered near Chocontá. They were ready to fight Michuá's northern army. The battle was very fierce and lasted for three hours. It was known as an extremely bloody fight.
Sadly, both leaders were killed during the battle. The southern Muisca, led by the zipa, won the battle. After the fight, Quemuenchatocha became the new zaque of Hunza. For the southern Muisca, Nemequene became the new zipa of Bacatá.
This battle was one of the first Muisca wars that was written down. A bishop and historian named Lucas Fernández de Piedrahita recorded it later.
Muisca History
See also
In Spanish: Batalla de Chocontá para niños
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 | ||||
