Muiscas

The Muiscas were a Pre-Columbian people who inhabited the region of present-day Colombia, particularly in the Andean plateau and surrounding areas. Their name is also spelled Muisca, and some anthropologists prefer to use the term "Tairona" to refer to the same group.

The Muiscas were skilled farmers and traders, and their economy was based on the cultivation of crops such as maize, potatoes, and beans. They were also expert metalworkers, particularly in gold and copper, and their art is characterized by intricate goldwork and ceramics.

Muiscan society was organized into a complex network of alliances and kinship bonds, with three main chiefdoms: Sugamuxi, Bacatá, and Tundama. Each chiefdom was governed by a sachem, or chief, who was believed to have a sacred connection to the gods. The Muiscas were a polytheistic people, worshipping a pantheon of gods associated with natural phenomena and ancestral spirits.

The Muiscas were known for their gruesome practice of human sacrifice, as well as their capture and exchange of prisoners, known as the "Rescate." This involved the capture of enemies who were then held for ransom or used as laborers in the summer irrigation canals.

Spanish colonizers arrived in the region in the sixteenth century, causing significant disruption to Muiscan society and leading to the eventual decline and displacement of the population. Today, the legacy of the Muiscas can be seen in the many museums, archaeological sites, and festivals in Colombia that celebrate their culture and traditions.