LEMPIRA

Lempira was basically one of the few native leaders to successfully resist Spanish control. When military might failed to defeat him the Spanish resorted to trickery. And although the Indian resistance movement died with him, his name and image have come to symbolize indigenous heritage. Lempira (1499?- 1537) is one of the national heroes of Honduras. He was the chief of his tribe. His name, Lempira, means "gentleman of the mountain".

In the 1530's, he organized the native fight against the Spanish. He successfully resisted the Spanish forces led by Captain Alonso de Cáceres- who was going to govern the Coyocutena stone in the Congolón area. Today this area is known as the department of Lempira.

According to legend, the Spanish convinced Lempira to receive two of Cáceres' representatives in order to negotiate peace. At the meeting, one of the soldiers shot and killed the chief.

Honduras honored Lempira by naming their national currency after him.

*Source: Permanent Mission of Honduras to the OAS- Courtesy of Mundo 21, submitted by Bryan Martin.

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Updated: 25 April 2008