Natagaima is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia

Colombia

Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...

, on the shore of the Magdalena River, at 326 meters over the sea level. The population of the municipality was 21,324 as of the 1993 census, and its average temperature is 26 degrees celsius. Natagaima was founded in 1606 by Spanish conqueror Juan de Borja y Armendia.

Etymology

Some believe the name of Natagaima comes from the words Nataga ("Cacique", Tribal Chief) and Ima (land), while others state that the name was created because there was an Indian named Nataga, who was the chief of this region, and married Queen Ima, ruler of the Tribal Chiefs of the center of Tolima.

Limits

North: Coyaima

Coyaima

Coyaima is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia. The population of the municipality was 24,596 as of the 1993 census....

 and Prado, East: Dolores

Dolores

-Places:*Argentina**Dolores, Buenos Aires*Belize**Rancho Dolores*Colombia** Dolores, Tolima*Guatemala**Dolores, El Petén*Mexico** Dolores Hidalgo, a town in Guanajuato** Dolores, Baja California Sur** Dolores, Chihuahua*Philippines** Dolores, Abra...

 and Alpujarra, West: Ataco

Ataco

Ataco is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia. The population of the municipality was 20,060 in the 1993 census.The Colombian state has been accused of human rights violations in Ataco.-References:*...

 and Coyaima, South: Aipe

Aipe

- History :In early 1741, Dona Teresa and Don Enrique Cortes, descendants of Mr. Jacinto Cortés, gave 80 hectares to establish a new town, and are considered the founders of the Municipality of Aipe...

(Huila).
Distance from Ibagué

Ibagué

Ibagué is the capital of the department of Tolima in Colombia. It is situated 1,285 m above sea level, on the eastern slopes of the Cordillera Central between the Chipalo and Combeima rivers, tributaries of the Coello River...

(capital of Tolima): 118 km.

Population and economic activities

Approximately 26,600 inhabitants reside in the 862 sq. kilometers of Natagaima. Its economy consists mainly in agriculture, an activity induced by its hot weather. The main agricultural products are rice, cotton, corn and sorghum.
Besides agriculture, breeding of livestock occupies an important place in the economy of Natagaima, specially that of the Zebu species.

Other economical activities include craftsmanship and saddlery.

History

The people of Natagaima were submitted by Spanish Conqueror Juan the Borja, who gathered the survivors of this incursion and proceeded with the foundation of the town. It is said that Natagaima lies in a place different from his original location, and was moved there by orders of the priest Ignacio Navarro in 1801. From 1863 to 1866 it was the capital of the Sovereign State of Tolima.
Through a law emitted on February 21, 1963, it became a Municipality, starting its role on January 1, 1964.

Its territory was initially inhabited by the Pijao

Pijao

The Pijao are an indigenous people of Colombia.-Ethnography:The Pijao or Pijaos were a loose federation of Amerindians living in the region of Tolima -Colombia and other territories...

 Indians, that were mainly composed by the Natagaima and Coyaima communities, tough warriors who posed fierce resistance to the Spanish invasion, forcing the Spaniards to establish an extermination policy. Other local tribes were the Dujos and Babadujos, who continuously fought against the Natagaimas and Coyaimas, and, motivated by the overwhelming quantity of received attacks, ultimately decided to support the Spaniards.

Typical foods

Tamale (Tolimense), almojábana, yucca bread with oats, Lechona, bizcochuelo, Mistela, Chanfaina, Corn Chicha, Masato, Poporoi are the most important dishes of the zone.

Typical songs

Among many others, La caña(Cantalicio Rojas), El contrabandista and El pasamanos, are famous songs that are danced during the festivities.

Sites of interest

Pacandé Mountain, The Painima Bath Zone, The Patá(la Palmita) Bath Zone, The Anchique River, The Hipogeo Indian Cemetery (vereda Palma Alta), and the Magdalena River crossing.

Education

Primary

1st of May Urban Mixed School
Maria Auxiliadora Urban Mixed School
Gabriel Rebeis Pizarro Urban Mixed School
Gustavo Perdomo Ávila Urban Mixed School

Secondary

Francisco José de Caldas School
Alfonzo Reyes Echandia School
Luis Carlos Galan Sarmiento School

Rural schools

Rural and Agricultural Development School Anchique
Policarpa Salavarrieta Basic Education Institute
La Palmita Rural Mixed School
New Town Adult Centre
Mariano Ospina Perez Institute

People born in Natagaima

Rafael Godoy

Rafael Godoy

Rafael Godoy was a well-known Colombian composer born in Natagaima, Tolima.From a young age, he was linked to the trade-union movement in Barrancabermeja, Santander, from where he had to emigrate when his personal security was threatened...

, Cantalicio Rojas, IndiaMery Yara, Teófilo Forero

Teófilo Forero

Teófilo Forero Castro was a Colombian politician and trade unionist. A metalworker by profession, Forero became the National Organizing Secretary of the Colombian Communist Party. He also founded the trade union centre Confederación Sindical de Trabajadores de Colombia...