Idacansás
Grouping | cacique |
---|---|
Sub grouping | xeque |
Similar entities | Bochica |
Folklore | Muisca mythology |
Other name(s) | Idacansas or Idacanzas |
Country | Muisca Confederation |
Region | Altiplano Cundiboyacense Colombia |
Details | Sun Temple, Sugamuxi |
Idacansás, Idacansas, Idacanzas or Iduakanzas
Background
In the centuries before the arrival of the
Mythography
Cacique Idacansás was together with
The cacique of Sugamuxi always had a double role as political and religious leader, as High Priest of the Sun. Under his rule was the Sun Temple where Muisca pilgrims from far away gathered. The reign of Idacansás made Sugamuxi a religious centre; the Rome or Mecca of the Muisca. The myth of Idacansás explains the origin of the cacicazgo and the sacred character around the Sun as unique on the Altiplano Cundiboyacense that was ruled by often brutal (Nemequene) dictatorial rulers.[3]
To maintain the support of the people, Idacansás used lies and deceit; he pretended he was angry with the people and threatened them with death, diseases or other methods. In other occasions he would climb a mountain dressed in coloured mantles and accompanied by some of his nobles and to let the people know there was an epidemic of dysentery coming, he would sprinkle orange or ochre-red dust in the air. Sometimes he would dress in white and throw ash in the air announcing that ice and aridity would come over the fertile lands of the Muisca, destroying their crops. To enhance the character of his foretellings he would react irritated to the people who came to see him as priest.[citation needed]
The rule of Idacansás was so widely respected and feared because he was able to change the chronological order of things happening.[4]
Some Muisca
See also
References
- ^ Correa, 2005, p.204
- ^ Ocampo López, 2013, Ch.12, p.75
- ^ a b Ocampo López, 2013, Ch.12, p.77
- ^ (in Spanish) Restrepo, Vicente, 1837-1899 Los Chibchas antes de la conquista española - Ch. XVIII - Banco de la República - accessed 23-04-2016
- ^ (in Spanish) Bochica as Idacansás - Pueblos Originarios - accessed 23-04-2016
Bibliography
- Ocampo López, Javier. 2013. Mitos y leyendas indígenas de Colombia - Indigenous myths and legends of Colombia, 1-219. Plaza & Janes Editores Colombia S.A..
- Correa Rubio, François. 2005. Sociedad y naturaleza en la mitología Muisca - Society and nature in the Muisca mythology. Tábula Rasa 5. 197–222. .