Natagaima () is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia, on the shore of the Magdalena River, at above sea level. The population of the municipality was 21,324 as of the 1993 census, and its average temperature is . 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 is a town and municipality in the Tolima department of Colombia. The population of the municipality was 27,733 as of the 2005 census. Municipalities of Tolima Department {{Tolima-geo-stub ...

and

Prado The Prado Museum ( ; ), officially known as Museo Nacional del Prado, is the main Spanish national art museum, located in central Madrid. It is widely considered to house one of the world's finest collections of European art, dating from the ...

, East:

Dolores Dolores, Spanish for "pain; grief", most commonly refers to: * Our Lady of Sorrows or La Virgen María de los Dolores * Dolores (given name) Dolores may also refer to: Film * ''Dolores'' (2017 film), an American documentary by Peter Bratt * ' ...

and

Alpujarra The Alpujarra (, Arabic: ''al-bussarat'') is a natural and historical region in Andalusia, Spain, on the south slopes of the Sierra Nevada and the adjacent valley. The average elevation is above sea level. It extends over two provinces, G ...

, West:

Ataco Ataco is a town and municipality located in the Tolima department of Colombia. The population of the municipality was 13,470 in the 2018 census. The Colombian state has been accused of human rights violations in Ata ReferencesUribe Hands Colo ...

and Coyaima, South:

Aipe Aipe is a town and municipality in the Huila Department, Colombia. It is located on the west bank of the Magdalena River in the Central Ranges of the Colombian Andes at altitudes between . Aipe borders Natagaima, Ataco and Planadas of the depart ...

(Huila). Distance from

Ibagué Ibagué () (referred to as San Bonifacio de Ibagué del Valle de las Lanzas during the Spanish period) is the capital of Tolima, one of the 32 departments that make up the Republic of Colombia. The city is located in the center of the country ...

(capital of Tolima): .

Population and economic activities

Approximately 26,600 inhabitants reside in the 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 The Pijao (also Piajao, Pixao, Pinao) are an indigenous people from Colombia. Ethnography The Pijao or Pijaos formed a loose federation of Amerindians and were living in the present-day department of Tolima, Colombia. In pre-Columbian time ...

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.

Health

San Antonio Hospital (a "first level" hospital).

Education

Primary

*1 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

Notable persons

Teófilo Forero Teófilo Forero Castro (died February 27, 1989) 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 '' ...

, politician and trade unionist *

Rafael Godoy Rafael Godoy Lozano (24 October 1907 – 14 March 1973) was a well-known Colombian composer born in Natagaima, Tolima. Biography From a young age, he was linked to the trade-union movement in Barrancabermeja, Santander, from where he had to em ...

, composer * Cantalicio Rojas *India Meliyara

Climate

References

{{Coord, 3, 35, N, 75, 05, W, display=title, region:CO_type:adm2nd_source:GNS-enwiki Municipalities of Tolima Department