Paillaeco facts for kids

Paillaeco was an important Mapuche war leader, known as a Toqui, who lived in the 1500s. He was chosen as the Toqui in 1592, taking over from another leader named Quintuguenu who had been defeated and killed in battle. Paillaeco became the leader during a time of conflict between the Mapuche people and the Spanish.

Paillaeco's Leadership

When Paillaeco became Toqui, he believed his army was not strong enough to fight the Spanish in a big, open battle. Instead, he planned a clever strategy: he wanted to trick the Spanish into an ambush. An ambush is a surprise attack from a hidden position.

The Battle and Paillaeco's Death

However, the Spanish were very cunning. They managed to turn Paillaeco's plan against him. They tricked his army into leaving their hidden ambush spot. In the battle that followed, Paillaeco's army was defeated, and Paillaeco himself was killed. This happened in the same year he became Toqui, 1592. After his death, another Mapuche leader named Paillamachu was chosen to be the new Toqui.

See also

• In Spanish: Paillaeco para niños