Zipazgo of Bacatá

Origins

Bacatá, on the high savanna where Bogotá now stands, became the seat of the zipa, ruler of the southern Muisca, in the 15th century. Muisca tradition names Meicuchuca as an early zipa, and Saguamanchica expanded the realm by conquering neighbouring chiefdoms such as Fusagasugá.

Rule and society

The zipa ruled through subordinate chiefs who paid tribute and supplied warriors. Succession went from uncle to nephew, and heirs were trained in seclusion. Nemequene, who reigned in the early 16th century, is credited with a code of laws. The realm controlled the salt mines of Zipaquirá and Nemocón, whose salt was traded widely. Lake Guatavita, a sacred lake, lay within its territory. Wars with the zaque of the Zacazgo of Hunza were frequent.

Decline and legacy

Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada entered the savanna in 1537. The zipa Tisquesusa died fighting that year, and his successor Sagipa died in Spanish captivity in 1539 after being tortured for gold. Santa Fe de Bogotá was founded in 1538 as capital of the New Kingdom of Granada.

Few sources survive for this state; details are uncertain.