Pre.Colombian
Civilisations
This
zone is of
particular
interest to
archaeologists.
There have
been some
important
discoveries
in Manabi
which have
determined
the existence
of ancient
cultures.
The most ancient
date back
to 4000 B.C:
Valdivia,
Machalilla
and Chorrera
The
Mantenas
The
Mantena-Huancavilcas
date back
to between
9500 and 1500
A.D, meaning
they were
last Pre-Colombian
inhabitants
in the region
and consequently
suffered the
impact of
the Spanish
conquest.
The Mantena-Huancavilca
culture mainly
practised
agriculture.
The
Jocays
Present-day
Manta was
constructed
on the remains
of the Jocay
(JO=fish,
CAY=house)
civilisation.
Jocay was
a large town
with a temple
at the end
of a grand
avenue whose
stone statues
of naked priests
and chiefs
reached 2.5metres
in height.
The destruction
of these statues
were ordered
when the Spanish
arrived.
Jocay was
the area's
administrative,
commercial,
artisan and
religious
centre.
The
Spanish Conquest
In
1526 Bartolome
Ruiz, Francisco
Pizarro and
their men
were the first
Spanish who
arrived from
Panama to
Cojimies in
an attempt
to take the
area.
From this
date, the
conquistadores
frequently
arrived on
the Manabi
coast.
Pizarro returned
in 1527 and
1531, Pedro
de Alvarado
in 1534 and
Francisco
Pacheco in
1535.
Pedro de Alvarado's
expedition
basically
a crime spree,
subjecting
the area to
repression
and violence,
despite the
fact that
the inhabitants
welcomed him
in a peaceful
manner.
Chief
Lligua Tohalli
was taken
prisoner,
gold, silver
and emeralds
were swiped
from the area.
The
Foundation
of Portoviejo
Under
the command
of Francisco
Pizarro, Diego
de Almagro
ordered Captain
Francisco
Pacheco to
found the
town.
On 12th March
1535 Portoviejo
was established
composed of
six parishes
Montecristi,
Charapoto,
Picoaza, Jipijapa,
Pichota and
Manta. Portoviejo
is one of
Ecuador's
oldest cities
and the sixth
largest.
Montecristi
and Alfaro
The
town of Montecristi
extends to
the outskirts
of the hill
of the same
name located
at an altitude
of 100 metres.
The town was
founded in
1741 and in
June 1824
was elevated
to head cantonal
status.
For a short
time, Montecristi
was also capital
of the province.
Eloy Alfaro
was born here
on 25th June
1842, leader
and victor
of the Ecuadorian
liberal revolution
after many
struggles
and battles.
Alfaro's house
can be visited
in Montecristi
in the village
near to Jaramijo
named Balsamaragua.
The ruins
of the ship
Alajuela,
in which Alfaro
fought on
6th December
1884 can also
be seen here.
Alfaro burnt
the ship and
launched it
out to see
so that it
couldn't fall
into the hands
of the enemy.
Montecristi
also has the
tradition
of crafting
straw hats,
a practice
which is still
realised today
in the region.
Last
Updated 21st
August 2006
(DLW)
