Ainavillo
Toqui of Mapuche army
About Ainavillo
Ainavillo was a cacique.
Ainavillo, Aynabillo, Aillavilu or Aillavilú, (in Mapudungun, ailla, nine and filu, snake) was the toqui of the Mapuche army from the provinces of "Ñuble, Itata, Renoguelen, Guachimavida, Marcande, Gualqui, Penco and Talcahuano."
They tried to stop Pedro de Valdivia from invading their lands in 1550. He led about twenty thousand warriors in the surprise night attack on Valdivia's camp in the Battle of Andalien. After his defeat in that battle he gathered more warriors from the allied regions of Arauco and Tucapel, south of the Bio-Bio River, for an attack on Valdivia's newly constructed fort of Concepcion at what is now Penco. He led an army of sixty thousand warriors in three divisions against the fort in the Battle of Penco. Ainavillo's command that had been previously defeated at Andalien, was recognized by the Spaniards and Valdivia picked it out for a vigorous charge by all their cavalry following a softening up by volleys of their firearms. It was broken at the first onslaught and fled with the Spanish in pursuit, followed by the retreat of the other two divisions of the Mapuche upon seeing the spectacle.
Don’t just read it —
keep it.
Full-length biographies made to live with: read them, listen on the way to work, watch them tonight.
- E-book
- Audio
- Video
Instant download · yours to keep · every purchase keeps this site free
Important facts
Frequently asked questions
Who was Ainavillo?
Toqui of Mapuche army
When did Ainavillo die?
Ainavillo died on 12 March 1550 in Penco.
What was Ainavillo's occupation?
Ainavillo was a cacique.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ainavillo. https://biography.guide/ainavillo/
MLA: "Ainavillo." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ainavillo/.
Chicago: "Ainavillo." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ainavillo/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
Page generated 2026-09-27 05:31 UTC