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When the conquering host, commanded by Marshal Jorge Robledo, arrived in the American lands from Spain, he, with his soldiers, and even the region today called Cañasgordas, this area was inhabited by aborigines of the Catíos ethnic group. These indigenous people used to live scattered among the forests and the slopes of the mountains looking for a good climate. Incidentally, it should be noted that these tribes especially fed on hunting and fishing, to which they were particularly addicted, and without much fondness for agriculture.

As data of interest it is worth highlighting the annotations of a Carmelite priest, at that time a missionary in these lands of America, who defines how the dialect of the Catíos, especially due to its mostly acute words, did not have any similarity with the other dialects of various prehistoric aboriginal tribes from across the continent.

Some affirm that with respect to this Catholic dialect a similarity with the Basque language has been found due to the particular formation of the words that this speech has, and the capricious independence of its roots.

The Catios tribes lived in rough straw huts raised up to two meters above the ground to avoid the pests of insects and other animals typical of the region; This ethnic group also built in the dense forests to evade the fury of the solar heat. They liked the river meadows where hunting, fishing and river transport became more obvious to them. Regarding agriculture, however, the Catíos practically dedicated themselves only to the cultivation of tobacco, since it is known that they were great smokers, and also, they grew corn to make chicha, with which they were ritually drunk and continuously in between as well as great orgies.

These were, more or less, the characters that the Spanish conquerors found in this territory. The place of Cañasgordas would be delayed until June 1782 to receive the title of ´´Parish´´, which was called in those times ´´Parish of San Carlos de Cañasgordas´´. Only after 41 years of establishment, this parish was erected as a municipal district.

Even today, chaotic residues persist in these lands that refuse to be absorbed by the so-called "Western civilization."





Cañasgordas is a municipality of Colombia, located in the western subregion of the department of Antioquia. It borders on the north with the municipality of Dabeiba, on the south with the municipality of Giraldo, on the east with the municipality of Buriticá and on the west with the municipalities of Abriaquí and Frontino. Its average temperature is 20 ºC. Its municipal seat is 133 kilometers from the city of Medellín, capital of the Department, and has an area of ​​391 square kilometers.

The municipality communicates by road with Medellín, San Jerónimo and Santa Fe de Antioquia. Its name, ´´Cañasgordas´´ was used by the Spanish to name the region with respect to the large guaduas that were abundant there. Initially, however, this town was called San Carlos de Cañasgordas. It has also carried the names of Miramar and Balboa.

The name of the municipality is Paradise for locals and visitors.

Economy

The economic activities of Cañasgordas have focused on agriculture, livestock and mining.

In relation to other aspects of their economy, these municipalities have stood out for the agricultural account of Bovine and Equine Cattle, and in agriculture for Cane, Cacao, Coffee, Murrapo and Tobacco. But in addition, they have practiced Gold Mining and the Wood Industry. Their crafts are expressed in cabuya mats, baskets and bags.





Parties

Festivities of Santo Cristo, in the month of September

Folklore and Sports Festival, which has been held every two years since 1972, in the month of August

Folkloric Festival, third week of August

Horse races

Holy Week, without a fixed date in the month of March or the beginning of April.

Places of interest

Historical artistic heritage:

Parish Church of San Carlos Borromeo. The building was remodeled between 1947 and 1966. It is in the Romanesque style, with half-orange domes and a façade where the clock and bells stand out.

THE HOLY CHRIST recognized in the west for his miraculous power

Natural heritage:

The waterfall. It is located in the village of Mediacuesta, 1 km from the head

The Hypogeum. Archaeological place, where there is an indigenous cemetery.

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