Short
History of Loja
Inca
Garcilaso
de la Vega
described
in his commentaries
who the primitive
inhabitants
of Loja were
before the
Inca invasion:
“Tupac-Yupanqui
went to the
province of
Canari and
captured the
civilisation
of Palta (currently
Loja) from
where he took
delicious
fruits, especially
palta (avocado)
back to Cuzco
. The village
was easily
won over by
the Inca’s
with gifts
and promises
offered by
the Inca’s
more so than
by fighting.”
The
zone towards
the east of
Loja, according
to Father
Juan de Velasco
would be populated
by ‘the brutal
nation of
the jibaros’
similar
to the araucanos
of Chile
. Don Jacinto
Jijon added
one more village
onto Palta
called los
Malacatos.
According
to historians
these indigenous
didn’t speak
Quichua but
palta
language,
however, after
the Inca conquest
the inhabitants
learned Quichua.
During the
Spanish domination
the indigenous
were subjected
to a repressive
doctrine.
In the mines
of Zamora
, Zaruma and
Catacocha
and in the
expeditions
into the Amazon,
the majority
of the indigenous
were exterminated
and replaced
in their working
capacity by
black slaves.
The
Foundation of
Loja
Loja was founded
by Captain Alonso
de Mercadillo
in 1548 in the
valley of the
rivers Zamora
and Malacatos.
The act of founding
the town hasn’t
been discovered
but as it is
consecrated
in the Immaculate
Conception it
can be deduced
that it was
founded on the
8 th December
of the same
year.
Loja
and Independence
On the 18 th
December 1820
the inhabitants
of Loja gathered
in the San Sebastian
plaza and proclaimed
the city and
province’s independence.
Loja joined
Guayaquil ’s
independence
movement of
the 9 th of
October of the
same year. Since
1822 Loja’s
contribution
to the country’s
independence
was extraordinary;
general Sucre
reorganised
his troops in
Guayaquil and
began operations
in Loja and
El Oro. Loja
contributed
an enthusiastic
contingent of
men to the army,
considerable
in numbers.
General Sucre
personally expressed
his gratitude
towards those
Lojanos
who fought
in the victorious
Battle of Pichincha.
Simon
Bolivar in Loja
After
a discussion
with General
San Martin
in Guayaquil
. Bolivar
decided to
take a trip
to Loja which
was considered
important
due to its
strategic
location and
for its help
in securing
the country’s
independence.
Loja’s irregular
topography
was no obstacle
for Bolivar
who arrived
on the 10
th October
1822. He stayed
ten days,
relaxing and
attending
to some administrative
duties for
the duration.
Whilst in
Loja he wrote
“My Delirium
in Chimborazo
”. In the
original the
date reads
“Loja, 13
th of October
1822” .
What are the
Lojanos like?
According
to historian
Pio Jaramillo
Alvarado,
Lojanos are
respectful,
loyal and
dependable
in their tasks,
happy, devoted
to religion
with a huge
respect for
their people
and their
native land.
They are somewhat
introverted
and solitary.
The
"Chazo"
lojano
He
mixing of
races in Loja
has created
a new civilisation.
The village
is predominantly
white, the
people active,
cordial, frank,
serene and
well balanced.
This is known
as the ‘Chazo’
lojano.
Border
Wars with Peru
On
the 21 st
September
1826 the region
was incorporated
into Gran
Colombia .
The new department
included Loja,
Zaruma, Zamora
and Yaguarzongo
as well as
the three
villas of
Saraguro,
Catacocha
and Cariamanga.
Three years
later Loja
was invaded
by the Peruvians
under the
command of
General Jose
de La Mar
, an event
which resulted
in victory
for Sucre
’s troops
in the Battle
of Tarqui.
The Peruvian
troops and
later on Colombian
troops methodically
invaded the
province of
Loja . Saraguro
was even once
burnt down.
In 1941 the
province of
Loja was invaded
by Peru once
again whose
troops occupied
Macara and
Zapotillo.
Cariamanga
was bombarded;
the damages
were costly.
Last
Updated 15th
August 2006
(DLW)
