THE RESISTANCE OF ÇIÇUMBA, THE FORGOTTEN CHIEFTAIN

Abstract

The indigenous resistance, waged throughout the Naco Valley and along the banks of the Ulúa River,
is one of the most epic and fascinating chapters in the history of the conquest of Honduras. Çiçumba was the name of the great lord of this entire region, who instilled fear in the Spanish captains and their armies. They were unable to breach his fortress, which remained impenetrable until the arrival of Pedro de Alvarado with a large army and far more advanced weaponry than had been used up to that point. Among his weapons was the cannon, an artifact that decided the battle in favor of the Spanish. With it, they finally forced the one who had been invincible for years to surrender and submit to Spanish rule. The conquest of northwestern Honduras and the indigenous resistance are topics of great interest, which are detailed below.