Nemequene

Nemequene or Nemeguene (died 1514) was the third ruler (zipa) of Bacatá as of 1490. His zaque counterpart ruling over the northern area of the Muisca territory was Quemuenchatocha.

Etymology Nemequene in the Chibcha language of the Muisca has two possible meanings, derived from the words nymy, "jaguar" and quyne, meaning either "bone" or "force".

Biography Nemequene succeeded to the throne of the southern Muisca in 1490 after the death of his predecessor Saguamanchica in the Battle of Chocontá where the zaque of the northern Muisca Michuá had also died. While Nemequene wanted to continue the attacks against the northern Muisca, he had to face the dangers of the Panche to the west of his territory. Nemequene installed his nephew and legal successor Tisquesusa as army general to fight off the Panche with success.

Looking to expand the territory of the southern Muisca, Nemequene succeeded in the conquest of other areas in the central highlands of Colombia; the zipa defeated the cacique of Guatavita and submitted the cacicazgos of Ubaque, Ubaté, Susa, and Fúquene to his rule.

At the end of his reign, Nemequene took up arms against the northern Muisca again, with Tisquesusa and his brother Sagipa as army commanders. Zaque Quemuenchatocha gained support of the caciques of Gámeza, Iraca, Tundama, and Sáchica. The battle of the Arroyo de las Vueltas that followed lasted for half a day and just when Nemequene was about to claim victory, he was hit by an arrow by one of the guecha warriors of the northern Muisca and died five days later of his wounds. Sagipa, the later successor of Tisquesusa and last zipa of the Muisca ordered retreat. Tisquesusa succeeded his uncle as ruler of the southern Muisca until the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors led by Gonzalo Jiménez de Quesada.

Code of Nemequene

To impose order, discipline and authority, Nemequene installed a cruel and excessive code. Based on the traditions and customs of the Muisca he ordered that in case of crimes against sexual honor (especially incest, rape, and sodomy), property or the rule of the state short trials and fierce punishments would be installed. Part of the code was targeted at moral behavior such as "don't lie" and "don't be lazy".

Nemequene in Muisca history

Trivia

Nemocón, the second most important salt mining settlement of the Muisca, is named after Nemequene