Calchaquí facts for kids

The Calchaquí (also spelled Kalchakí) were a group of South American people who lived in northern Argentina a long time ago. They were part of the larger Diaguita group. They were very skilled and had a high level of civilization, as shown by the stone tools and pottery they left behind. They bravely fought against the first Spanish explorers who came from Chile, led by a chief named Juan Calchaquí.

Their language was called Cacán. It disappeared around the mid-1600s or early 1700s. We don't know much about it because the documents that described it are now lost.

In 1896, a researcher named Friedrich Ratzel wrote about the Calchaquí. He noted that their pottery had drawings of birds, reptiles, and human faces. These drawings were similar to art found in Peru and by the Malay people. The Calchaquí people also used Bronze Age technology.

What Does "Calchaquí" Mean?

The name "Calchaquí" was first used in the 1600s. Europeans called many different Diaguita groups "Calchaquíes." These groups included the Yocavil, Quilme, Tafí, Chicoana, Tilcara, and Purmamarca people.

The name "Calchaquí" likely came from one of the main leaders who fought against the Spanish. This leader was called Kalchakí by his people, and the Spanish called him Juan Calchaquí. He was a powerful chief in the Yocavil valley. The word Kalcha means "courageous" or "brave," and Qui means "very" or "much." So, "Calchaquí" could mean "very brave."

How the Calchaquí Lived

The Calchaquí people were skilled farmers and herders. They were also excellent potters, making beautiful pottery. They worshipped the sun, the moon, thunder, and the earth. They spoke their own language, Kakán.

Around 1480, the Inca Empire (also known as Tawantinsuyu) expanded its territory and included the Calchaquí people. This brought a strong cultural influence from the Inca to the Calchaquí.

The Calchaquí Wars

For a long time, the Spanish could not enter the Calchaquí Valleys. This area was a safe place for the Diaguita culture, which was a strong group of independent farming communities. They were united by their common language, Kakán, and were part of the larger Andean civilizations. The Spanish often incorrectly called all these groups "Calchaquíes," even though Calchaquí was just one of the many groups.

These groups were divided into three main "nations": Pular in the north, Diaguita in the west, and Calchaquí in the east. Because the Calchaquí and other groups were self-sufficient and there were not many Spanish soldiers in the area, they were able to defend their land. These battles are known as the Calchaquí Wars, and they lasted for over a century.

First Calchaquí War (1560)

The First Calchaquí War began in 1560. It was led by the chief Juan Calchaquí, along with other leaders named Quipildor and Viltipoco. The Calchaquí groups worked together and successfully kept the Europeans out of their territory. They even destroyed three new cities that the Spanish had built: Cañete, Córdoba de Calchaquí, and Londres.

The Viltipoco Rebellion (1594)

Later, in 1594, Viltipoco, a chief from the Omaguaca people, started another uprising. He gathered a large army of 10,000 warriors. However, a small group of 25 Spanish soldiers and their local allies surprised Viltipoco's camp. They attacked, killed some leaders, and captured Viltipoco. He was taken to San Salvador de Jujuy, where he later died in prison.

Second Calchaquí War (1630-1637)

The Second Calchaquí War lasted for seven years, from 1630 to 1637. This war was led by the chief Chalamín. Once again, the Calchaquí groups destroyed Spanish cities, including Londres II and Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. In 1637, the Spanish army captured Chalamín and he was executed. Many of the people who fought in this war were forced to leave their homes and work for the Spanish.

Third Calchaquí War (1658-1667)

The Third Calchaquí War lasted for eight years, from 1658 to 1667. This war had a unique beginning. A Spanish adventurer named Pedro Bohórquez pretended to be an Inca leader, calling himself "Inca Hualpa." The Calchaquí people accepted him as their military leader. Bohórquez was very clever and even got support from the Jesuits (a religious group). He built a strong army of 6,000 warriors and controlled the region for several years.

However, in 1659, Bohórquez gave himself up to the Spanish, hoping to be forgiven. The Spanish sent him to Lima and eventually executed him. The Calchaquí groups continued the war, led by José Henriquez.

When the Quilme group was defeated in 1665, the Spanish forced all 11,000 of their members to move far away to an area near Buenos Aires. This is where the city of Quilmes stands today. The Quilme people eventually disappeared as a distinct group. The war finally ended on January 2, 1667, when the last of the Calchaquí groups, Acali or Calian, was defeated. The Spanish then decided to divide, move, and force all the Diaguita peoples to work for them.

See also

In Spanish: Calchaquíes para niños