Tomatas facts for kids

The Tomatas were an ancient group of people who lived in the Tarija Valley, in what is now Bolivia. They were an indigenous people who lived there when the Spanish founded the city of Tarija in 1574. Sadly, the Tomatas people are now extinct, meaning there are no longer any living members of their group.

Where Did the Tomatas Come From?

The Tomatas people seem to have originally come from an area called Copiapó in a region of Chile known as Norte Chico. Early Spanish writings even called them "tomatas copiapoes," which means "Tomatas from Copiapó."

Another Possible Origin

Some clues from old objects found by archaeologists suggest another possible origin for the Tomatas. They might have come from the Elqui Valley, which is about 240 kilometers (150 miles) south of the Copiapó Valley.

How the Tomatas Moved

The Tomatas people were moved from their original homes more than once.

Moved by the Inca Empire

First, they were likely moved by the Inca Empire. The Incas sometimes moved groups of people from their homelands to new areas. This was often done to help control their large empire.

Moved by Luis de Fuentes

Later, a Spanish Conquistador named Luis de Fuentes moved the Tomatas again. This time, it was a much shorter distance. He resettled them close to his new city, Tarija.

Chilean Names in Bolivia

The Tomatas people brought some of their old traditions with them when they moved. They gave names from their original lands in Chile to places in their new home in Bolivia. This is why you can find places in Bolivia with names like Loa, Calama, and Erqui (which comes from Elqui). These names are a reminder of where the Tomatas people once lived.

See also

In Spanish: Tomatas para niños