Aquiminzaque (Chibcha: Aquim ó Quiminza, died Tunja, 1540) was the last hoa of Hunza, on which the Spanish city of Tunja (in present-day Colombia) was built, reigning from 1537 until his death. His psihipqua counterpart in the southern area of the Muisca was Sagipa. Aquiminzaque was for the Muisca what Túpac Amaru was for the Inca; and as the Inca leader, Quiminza was executed by decapitation.
| Quiminza | |
|---|---|
| hoa | |
 Aquiminzaque, the last ruler of Hunza | |
| Reign | 1537–1540 |
| Predecessor | Eucaneme |
| Successor | Position abolished |
| Born | unknown Muisca Confederation |
| Died | 1540 Hunza, New Kingdom of Granada |
| Chibcha | Quiminza |
| Dynasty | Hunza |
Biography
editAquiminzaque was the nephew of his predecessor, Eucaneme. Aquiminzaque‘s reign began on August 2, 1537, when Eucaneme was taken prisoner to Suesca by the Spanish.[1][2]
Aquiminzaque ruled over the northern area of the Muisca in present-day Boyacá, Colombia in the years when the Spanish conquistadores were entering the highlands of the Muisca.
At first Aquiminzaque converted to Catholicism, but when he realized the true motives of the Spanish conquerors over the Muisca people, he revolted against them, undermining the initial rule of Hernán Pérez de Quesada, brother of Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada. Shortly after, in 1540, Hernán executed Aquiminzaque by public decapitation in Tunja.[3] The spectacle, meant as an example, was watched by the Muisca people and executions of other caciques of Toca, Motavita, Samacá, Turmequé and Sutamarchán followed.
The death of the last hoa meant the end of the Muisca Confederation.
Legacy
editIn Tunja, the capital of the Boyacá department, a statue honouring Aquiminzaque (Monumento a la Raza Indígena) has been erected.[4]
Aquiminzaque in Muisca history
edit| History of the Muisca | |||||||||
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 Altiplano |
 Muisca |
 Art |
 Architecture |
 Astronomy |
 Cuisine |
 El Dorado |
 Subsistence |
 Women |
 Conquest |
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ (in Spanish) Biography of Aquiminzaque - Pueblos Originarios
- ^ (in Spanish) Muisca history - Banco de la República
- ^ (in Spanish) Public execution of Aquiminzaque in Tunja Archived 2016-02-06 at the Wayback Machine - Universidad Distrital Francisco José de Caldas
- ^ (in Spanish) Statue honouring Aquiminzaque
External links
edit- (in Spanish) Animated video about Aquiminzaque