Colocolo (fromMapudungun "colocolo", mountain cat) was aMapuche leader ("caciquelonco") in the early period of theArauco War. He was a major figure inAlonso de Ercilla y Zúñiga's epic poemLa Araucana, about the early Arauco War. In the poem he was the one that proposed the contest between the rival candidates forToqui that resulted in the choice ofCaupolicán. As a historical figure there are some few contemporary details about him. Stories of his life were written long after his lifetime and display many points of dubious historical accuracy.
Pedro Mariño de Lobera listed Colocolo as one of the caciques that offered submission to Pedro de Valdivia after theBattle of Penco.[1]Jerónimo de Vivar in hisChronicle of the Kingdom of Chile (1558), describes Colocolo as one of the Mapuche leaders with 6,000 warriors and one of the competitors for Toqui of the whole Mapuche army following theBattle of Tucapel.Millarapue also a leader of 6,000 men, but old and not a candidate for the leadership, was the one who persuaded them to quit arguing among themselves and settle the matter with a contest of strength between them which resulted in the victory of Caupolicán who became Toqui.[2]
Lobera later says Colocolo and Peteguelen were the leaders that discovered the advance of the army ofFrancisco de Villagra and summoned all the people who could fight from the neighboring provinces to oppose the Spanish in theBattle of Marihueñu.[3] He was one of the commanders underLautaro at the second destruction ofConcepción on December 4, 1555.[4] He also lists Colocolo as one of Caupolicán's lieutenants in theBattle of Millarapue againstGarcía Hurtado de Mendoza.[5] Lobera also says he was one of the major leaders of the Arauco area to submit to Mendoza after theBattle of Quiapo and the reestablishment of the fortress ofSan Felipe de Araucan in 1559. He is also said to have given Mendoza warning of the assassination plot ofMecial.[6]
Alonso de Góngora Marmolejo in hisHistory of All the Things that Have happened in the Kingdom of Chile mentions Colocolo in 1561 as a principal leader inArauco and is said to be a friend until death to the Spanish. He was consulted byPedro de Villagra about the way to defeat the first outbreak of the second great Mapuche revolt that began that year. It says he advised them to storm a fortress the rebels had built and that such a defeat would end the rebellion.[7] Later, in the following year after Villagra had evacuated the city ofCañete revealing Spanish weakness, Colocolo was prevailed on by the rebellious Mapuche in Arauco to take command of their army. At his orderMillalelmo laid siege to the fort ofArauco and other leaders the fort ofLos Infantes.[8]
Juan Ignacio Molina follows Ercilla's account of Colocolo as the wise elder, in hisThe Geographical, Natural and Civil History of Chili, Vol. II, (1808).[9] He claims Colocolo was killed in the 1558Battle of Quiapo.[10]
Claims are Colocolo held the position of "Toqui de la Paz" (Peace Chief) but took over strategic duties when Spanish conquest began, becoming the head of the nativeMapuche forces against these invaders. Some others believe his death happened during the great famine andtyphus epidemic in 1554–1555.
Colocolo, is a symbol of heroic courage, bravery, and wisdom who fought and never surrendered to the Spaniards. Remembered as Ercilla's 60-something elder widely respected by mapuche people, among his captains we can find headchiefs whose names are part of Chile's present geography:Paicaví,Lemo,Lincoyán,Elicura andOrompello, just to name a few.
The most popular Chileanfootball club,Colo-Colo, was named after this warrior. TheChilean Navy has given its name toseveral ships throughout history.
Wilson, J. G.;Fiske, J., eds. (1891)."Colocolo".Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography. Vol. 1. New York: D. Appleton. pp. 693–4.
