Gaitana

Gaitana, also known as Guaitipan and La Gaitana, was a 16th-century cacica (leader) of an indigenous people in the region of Timaná, Huila. Though some scholars believe she may be a legendary figure, two chronicles report that in 1539–40 she led the indigenous people of the Upper Magdalena River Valley in Colombia in armed resistance against the colonization by the Spanish. The indigenous peoples of the area vigorously opposed this invasion. He was unable to gather the massive amount of tribute demanded, so De Añasco ordered him to be burned alive in front of his mother. Cacica Gaitana, the remaining leader of the tribe, set out for vengeance.

The execution of Gaitana's son caused outrage among the indigenous tribes, who decided to join forces against the Spaniards. Añasco and his men were attacked by surprise. The men were executed and Añasco had his eyes removed and was dragged around the village until he died.

However, one of the indigenous leaders, the cacique Matambo warned the Spaniards about the plans against them, with the result that the indigenous forces were crushed, and the remaining natives were gradually decimated by slavery and smallpox and other European diseases. A few hundred thousand of their descendants are scattered throughout the Colombian southwest as the modern Paez, Guambiano, and Pijao peoples, among others.