tribal confederation · South America

Muisca Confederation

800 CE – 1540 CE (approx.)

A union of chiefdoms in Colombia's eastern highlands whose gold offerings in Lake Guatavita gave rise to the legend of El Dorado.

Origins

The Muisca settled the high plateau of Cundinamarca and Boyacá, in the Eastern Ranges of the Colombian Andes, and by around 800 their chiefdoms had taken shape. Over the following centuries they grouped into larger confederations led by the zipa in the south and the zaque in the north.

Rule and society

Muisca society was divided between the Zipazgo of Bacatá in the south, the Zacazgo of Hunza in the north, and independent territories such as Iraca and Tundama. Rulers inherited power through the maternal line, from uncle to nephew. The Muisca traded salt from Zipaquirá and Nemocón, emeralds and cotton cloth for gold, which they cast into tunjos, votive figures. The installation of a new ruler at Lake Guatavita, covered in gold dust, became the legend of El Dorado.

Decline and legacy

Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada led a Spanish expedition into Muisca lands in 1537, defeating the zipa and zaque within two years. Santa Fe de Bogotá was founded in 1538 as the centre of the New Kingdom of Granada. The Muisca language died out in the 18th century.

Lineage

Muisca ConfederationNew Kingdom of Granada 1538 CE – 1717 CE

Connections (5)

  • Zacazgo of Hunza was part of Muisca Confederation1300 CE – 1537 CE
  • Iraca was part of Muisca Confederation1300 CE – 1537 CE
  • Tundama was part of Muisca Confederation1300 CE – 1539 CE
  • Zipazgo of Bacatá was part of Muisca Confederation1450 CE – 1538 CE
  • Muisca Confederation was conquered by Spanish Empire1537 CE – 1540 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). Muisca Confederation. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/muisca-confederation
MLA
“Muisca Confederation.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/muisca-confederation. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “Muisca Confederation.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/muisca-confederation.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘Muisca Confederation’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/muisca-confederation (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻