Cuenca Ecuador history, when Cuenca was Tomebamba

Cuenca Ecuador has more than 3.000 years of history, the first Cuenca inhabitants go back to the year 8060 B.C., according to studies and archaeological discoveries found in the cave of chopsi, located within the area. They were primitive hunters; nomads who moved and hunted what the Andean forests and the Páramo offered them. Obsidian tools and other tools like arrows and spears have been found throughout the Andean alley are signs of the beginning of this culture. Their presence dates back to approximately 5585 B.C.
The new society in the old Cuenca Ecuador

During this time, these primitive people began to experiment a change in their society, due to the fact that they began to use the natural resources of the area, like a great climate, ample water sources and a fertile land. They began to grow plants like: Potatoes, Melloco, chocho, Squash and quinua, amongst only a few. Besides that, they also domesticated animals like: cuy, llamas, Alpacas and other animals like dogs, cows, sheep and horses brought by the Spaniards. Due to this, their diet changed, not just meat, but also vegetables. Their technology also advances, as they start using ceramics, which is the main way we can study them. There isn’t much information between 5000 y 2000 B.C., since remains haven’t been found during that era. Around 2000 B.C began a more organized society, demonstrating delegated responsibilities, like the managing of water, control of plagues and their was a differentiation between administrative and religious authorities, known as shamans. This occurred during the Periods Chaullabamba, Huayco, Pirincay, Monjas, Putushio, Huancarcucho and Jubones. From then until 500 AD began the periods Tacalshapa III and Cañari.

The Cañaris and the Incas

The main native representatives within the area of Azuay are the Cañari people, which settled down approximately between the years 500 A.D. to 1480 A.D. and are identified by traditional ceramics of Tacalshapa III and Cashaloma. During this period the Cañari develop and strengthen. Here appears social organization of ethnic nobility, social division within the establishments, the chieftainship with the head and the extreme priest that govern the others. It was a town of a lot of culture, knowledgeable in silver, agriculture, weaving, but were still warriors. Where Cuenca in Ecuador is currently located, was known as Guapondelig, the important capital city of the Cañari nation. At the end of the century, around 1480, began the invasion and expansion of the Inca empire, lead by the aggressive Tupac Yupanqui. With the defeat of the Cañari, the Inca Empire began and they implanted all their customs, traditions, clothes and religious celebrations. They found the city of Tomebamba on the Cañari city of Guapondelig, with which they seal their conquest and honor all the rules sent from the main capital of the empire: Cuzco. It was not a long time before the arrival of the Spaniards to this area.
The Conquest and Foundation of Cuenca by the spaniards

After several confrontations between the Spanish and the Incas of the area, it is obvious that the conquest is a fact. On the 12th of April, 1557, Don Gil Ramirez Dávalos carries out the order dictated by the appointed king of Peru Don Andrés Hurtado de Mendoza and founds the very noble Santa Ana of the Rivers of Cuenca. According to the data of the foundation, there were 25 Spaniards who founded it, of which 19 were given large in the rising city of Cuenca. The construction of Cuenca was built on the ruins of the old Tomebamba, left by the conflict between Inca leaders and brothers Atahualpa and Huascar. The Checkerboard style predominated the construction and planning. A central Plaza with parallel city blocks, divided by streets. The cathedral and town hall were the first to be built.
The Spanish colony in Cuenca

From the beginnings of century XVI there is progressive construction in the city. At the beginning the houses were one floor homes, built from mud and stones with simple straw roofs. Soon tile roofing and wood were introduced in the constructions. 25 years after the foundation, Cuenca had 750 Spanish residents Spaniards with rights to land and the possession of natives to work their land. By the year 1563, the city had a degree of Correction, until 1777 when they elevate the city to a Government. At the beginning of century XVII, Cuenca stretched from the Church of San Sebastián to the Church of San Blas, both present today. During the year 1730 the French Geodesic Team passed through the city, leaving cultural tracks. In 1778, the first real census of the city is done; the official count is of 18,916 inhabitants, of which 12,936 were Urban and 5,983 in the countryside. During the middle of century XVIII, Cuenca is a prosperous city, due to the production and sale of boyeta and tacuyo, a type of weaving which placed Cuenca on the industrial and commercial map of the area. Cuenca becomes the center of commerce for the austral zone of country.

In spite of this, Cuenca was still an uncultured city. There were hardly any schools with very few teachers, which tried to survive in a city with no interest in education. The social scale was topped by 10% of the population that were pure blooded Spaniards, 22% mestizos and the natives 67%, which made up most of the population and at the bottom, 1% black people. Culture and art were controlled by the Catholic Church, probably the reason why few outstanding artist existed, especially in woodcarvings and jewelry, like Gaspar Sangurima, whose great admirer was Simón Bolivar.

The Republic foundation Cuenca Ecuador in the republic

Thus passed the years, until November 3rd, 1820, when Santa Ana of the Rivers of Cuenca gained its independence from the Spanish government. People like Marshal Jose Domingo La Mar and Abdón Calderón participated in this victory. During this time, appears Fray Vicente Solano who is the predecessor of the movement of the arts in the city. In 1828 he introduced the first printing press, in addition to importing books and founds the first newspaper, "Echo of Azuay". By the beginnings of Century XX, Cuenca was considered a main urban center, along with Quito and Guayaquil. In the middle of the century, Cuenca’s growth rate increases, due to universities, commercial alliances and elevated productions, especially Toquilla (straw) and tourism, making Cuenca the third city of importance in Ecuador.

This way, the small establishments that formed Cañari Guapondelig, which were later conquered and replaced by the Inca’s Tomebamba and finally Spanish Cuenca; a big city in form and spirit, worthy to be named Cuenca Ecuador UNESCO Cultural Heritage of the Humanity.

Source

This article was produced by the Cuenca Tourism Foundation in order to provide accurate information about the city for up to date information visit the official Cuenca Ecuador Hotels & Tours travel guide.

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