Chibcha refers to an indigenous people of South America primarily inhabiting the highlands of the Andes in what is now the country of Colombia. Additionally, Chibcha can also refer to their language and the related cultural aspects.
The Chibcha people were historically known for their extensive agricultural practices, particularly of maize or corn, along with cultivating other crops such as potatoes, beans, and quinoa. They were skilled craftsmen and created intricate and beautiful goldwork, pottery, and textiles. Socially, the Chibcha had a hierarchical structure with a ruling class of chiefs and priests, followed by commoners and slaves.
The Chibcha language, also called Muisca or Mosca, belongs to the Chibchan language family and was spoken by the Chibcha people. It is now considered an extinct language, as it is no longer spoken today. However, there have been efforts by linguists to study and preserve the language through recovered historical texts and documents.
The term Chibcha is also used to describe the cultural and historical aspects related to the Chibcha people. This includes their heritage, mythology, art, rituals, and traditions. They had complex religious beliefs, worshipping various gods and spirits, and performing ceremonies related to agriculture, fertility, and the natural world.
Overall, the term Chibcha encompasses various aspects including a specific indigenous people, their language, and their cultural elements that provide insight into the pre-Columbian civilizations of the Andean region.
