History of Valledupar facts for kids
The History of Valledupar tells the story of the Colombian city of Valledupar through time. Before the Spanish arrived, the Valledupar region was home to many indigenous peoples (native groups). These groups belonged to three main language families: the Arawaks, Kalina (Caribs), and Chibchas.
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Ancient Times: Before the Spanish Arrived
The land that is now Valledupar was mostly lived in by the Chimila people. They shared the same language and culture. Some of these groups included the Euparies, Cariachiles, and Pocabuyes. The Tupes also lived here. They were a mix of Chimila and Kalina people who had moved into the area.
Their land stretched from the central Guajira Peninsula to the Magdalena River. It was located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and Serranía del Perijá mountains. This area covered most of the Cesar River Valley. This valley was also known as the Valley of Upar or the Valley of the Pocabuys.
There were two important cities in the region. One was called Thamara, which is now Tamalameque. The other was Upari, named after its strong leader, the cacique Upar. Spanish writers said Thamara was a very big city with over a thousand huts.
The Chimila society had a clear structure. There were workers who were fishers, hunters, artists, miners, gold workers, and traders. The Chimila also had people from the Arhuaco group who helped them with tasks. The Chimila believed in an endless figure called Masirguta. They also believed in one god named Narayajana, also called Yao.
The Chimila people enjoyed music. They used drums of many sizes and flutes with two to five holes. They also used an instrument called a guacharaca to copy the sound of rufous-vented chachalaca birds. They also played maracas.
The Chimila were skilled farmers. They grew maize (corn) very well. They also grew other local vegetables and fruits for food. They planted trees near their huts for shade and to keep their homes cool. The Chimila also harvested Gynerium sagittatum, a type of cane used to make bows and arrows.
Spanish Arrival and Settlement
The first Spanish explorers, led by Alonso de Ojeda, Amerigo Vespucci, and Juan de la Cosa, reached the coast of the Guajira Peninsula in 1499. In 1501, Rodrigo de Bastidas explored the coast further.
The village of Santa Marta was founded on July 29, 1525. A year before, Rodrigo de Bastidas became the first governor of Santa Marta.
First Explorers in the Area
The first Spanish person to arrive in the Valledupar area was Pedro de Vadillo in 1528. He came from Santa Marta.
Founding of Valledupar
The official founding of Valledupar was ordered by Miguel Diez de Aramendiz in 1550.
Soon after, a German explorer named Ambrosius Ehinger arrived from Coro. He crossed the Serranía del Perijá mountains. Ehinger fought fiercely to take control of the region. He caused much hardship for the indigenous people. He burned down the villages of Eupari and Thamara. He also ordered the death of the Cacique Upar.
Breaking Free from Spain
On January 29, 1813, the local government of Valledupar, called the Cabildo of Justice, asked nearby towns to choose their own local leaders. The Cabildo included important people like Antonio Fernandez de Castro and Jose Vicente Ustariz.
On February 4, 1813, the Cabildo publicly declared that Valledupar was independent from Spain. Members of the Cabildo formed a group to visit María Concepción Loperena. She had direct contact with the leader of the independence movement, Simón Bolívar. The Cabildo celebrated their independence at the house of the local scribe. They cheered for the President of the United Provinces of New Granada, Jorge Tadeo Lozano, and the President of Cartagena, Manuel Rodríguez Torices.
Jose Eugenio Garcia then asked the Cabildo for permission to gather 200 soldiers. He wanted to free the village of San Juan del Cesar. However, Andres Medina, who was loyal to the Spanish king, fought against Garcia and the Valledupar soldiers. Medina defeated them.
News of this fight spread quickly. Towns that were loyal to Spain, like Barrancas, Fonseca, and Riohacha, heard about it. On February 20, 1813, leaders from these towns created their own local governments, called Ayuntamientos. They protested against Valledupar's declaration of independence.
