Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Indigenous Nicaragua
Pre-Hispanic Nicaragua was home to several indigenous groups, including the ancestors of
today's Rama, who live on the Caribbean coast, and the Chorotegas and Nicaraos, on the
Pacific side. The latter spoke a form of Náhuatl, the language of the Aztecs. Many Nicara-
guan places retain their Náhuatl names.
By 1500 BC Nicaragua was broadly settled, and though much of this history has been
lost, at least one ancient treaty between the Nicarao capital of Jinotepe and its rival Choro-
tegan neighbor, Diriamba, is still celebrated as the Toro Guaco.
There were forgers even before coins were invented and the currency was cacao - they'd
scoop the cacao out of the seed and replace it with mud.
