Global InformationHistory of Santa Cruz de Mompox information
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| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Santa Barbara Church | |
| Location | Santa Cruz de Mompox, Bolívar Department, Colombia |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iv)(v) |
| Reference | 742 |
| Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
| Coordinates | 9°14′N 74°26′W / 9.233°N 74.433°W |
  Location of History of Santa Cruz de Mompox in Colombia | |
The Villa de Santa Cruz de Mompox was founded by Don Juan Quintero de Heredia, Adelantado of the Gobernation of Cartagena and brother of the founder of that city, Pedro de Heredia, on May 3, 1537, after fighting battles against the Kimbay tribe and defeating the Chieftain Mompoj.
In the independence period, "Santa Cruz de" practically disappears and enters to denominate "Mompox" in the documents of the President Governor of the State of Cartagena de Indias dated November 3 of 1812. Since then, it has been called "Mompox" or "Mompos" in all official and notarial acts, both meanings being valid given the language evolution.
The name of Mompox comes from the great Cacique "Mompoj" (identification in Malibu language), whose tribe inhabited the area where today the city exists and came from the Malibu Indians civilization. By the time of the conquest, the Cacique already ruled about fifty small tribes, among them the Güitacas, Chilloas, Chimíes, Chicaguas, Jaguas, Malibues, Kates, Kimbayes, Menchiquejos, and Talahiguas. The tribes were formed by means of alliances, confederations subject to certain pacts, if not like vassals like allies and relatives who actaban the authority of the Cacique Mompoj.
Cacique Mompoj had as lieutenants the chiefs Zuzua and Mahamon who were the most important, although there were others such as Zimití, Zambe, Chilloa, and Omigale among others.