Gaitana

Her monument sculpted by Rodrigo Arenas stands in Neiva, the capital of the Huila Department in Colombia.

According to Spanish chronologists, at the time of conquest, the modern territory of Huila Department was inhabited by many different indigenous peoples.

De Añasco called all the indigenous leaders and demanded them to pay him a tribute.

A tribe of Yalcón people, commanded by a young man (cacique Timanco [es]) and his mother (cacica Gaitana) delayed the payment, and De Añasco decided to set an example by ordering her son to be burned alive.

The execution of Gaitana's son caused outrage among the indigenous tribes, who decided to cooperate with each other to join forces against the Spaniards.