Lemucaguin facts for kids

Lemucaguin was an important Mapuche leader, known as a toqui, who lived in the 1500s. He took over leadership in 1558 after Turcupichun was killed. Lemucaguin was from a place called Andalicán and led the Mapuche people north of the Biobío River. He continued the fight against the Spanish, led by García Hurtado de Mendoza.

A New Kind of Leader

Lemucaguin was a very smart military leader. He found ways to use the Spanish's own weapons against them. He organized a group of fighters who used arquebuses, which were early types of guns. These guns were captured from the Spanish during battles like the Battle of Marihueñu.

Building Strong Forts

After the deaths of other important Mapuche leaders like Caupolican and Turcupichun, Lemucaguin kept fighting. He built strong forts, called pucaras, in places like Quiapo. These forts helped block the Spanish from getting into the Arauco region. They were important for defending Mapuche lands.

Using Spanish Weapons

Lemucaguin was the first Mapuche leader to use firearms and even artillery (big cannons) in battle. He used these powerful weapons during the Battle of Quiapo. This showed how adaptable and clever the Mapuche warriors were. They learned quickly from their enemies.

The Battle of Quiapo

The Battle of Quiapo was a major fight where Lemucaguin used his new strategies. However, he was killed during this battle. After his death, another leader named Illangulién took his place as toqui.

A Name in History

Later, a historian named Juan Ignacio Molina wrote about these events. He called the toqui who led at Quiapo "Caupolicán the younger". This suggests that some people believed Lemucaguin might have been the son of the famous leader Caupolican.

See also

In Spanish: Lemucaguin para niños

• Ainavillo
• Lautaro
• Loble

Sources

• Diego de Rosales, “Historia General del Reino de Chile”, Flandes Indiano, 3 tomos. Valparaíso 1877 - 1878.
  • Historia general de el Reyno de Chile: Flandes Indiano, Tomo II (1554–1625)
    • Capitulo XXI. Como los indios aprendieron a disparar arcabuzes y hizieron un fuerte en Quiapo; gánansele los españoles y dan la paz al vencedor Don Garcia.