The pre-Hispanic inhabitants of Acoyapa are related to ancient peoples included in the Chontal denomination. Evidence of the disappeared cultures of the municipality is located in the form of sites with mounds, engraved stones and material remains such as ceramic objects, lithic instruments and some stone sculptures.
The doctor and historian Alejandro Dávila Bolaños (RIP) interprets the word Acoyapa in the following way: Acoya – apa: acoyo, acoyotl, Tears of San Pedro, apa; river «Río de los Acoyos» «Río de las Lágrimas de San Pedro». The same scholar would have interpreted in 1959: Atl: water; Coyametl: sahino; Bread: place. "River where there are peccaries".
Bull riding
Alfonso Valley: Acoyauh, see from above; bread, place; that is, “in the watchtower”. Urcuyo also makes the same interpretation.
It is suggested that in the Ulúa language it can be interpreted as: aicu: moon and apa: stone, «Moonstone».
Julius Frobelin his book "Seven Years' Journey" (1859), refers that Bushmann gave the meaning "place where water expands"; voice of the Nahuátl words 'atl', which is water, and 'coyahua', to expand”. But Froebel himself considers that this meaning cannot correspond to the characteristics of the place.
The town of Acoyapa was founded near a population of native inhabitants, in the mid-seventeenth century by a group of Spaniards and indigenous people fleeing from the ephemeral population of Nueva Jaén, located at the confluence of Lake Cocibolca and the San Juan River.
This population rivals Comalapa in the declaration of the oldest of Chontales.
With the changes of the commercial routes, Acoyapa and Juigalpa alternated the title of departmental head, between 1858 and 1877, until it was definitively in Juigalpa.
Acoyapa was also an important point on the access route to the mining towns of La Libertad and Santo Domingo, because here the travelers who disembarked at the historic port of San Ubaldo and the carts loaded with gold that was shipped in the same port passed. .
In the mid-XNUMXth century, Acoyapa was known as "the landowner's capital" for its vast and opulent cattle ranches.
Artistic expressions and manifestations
Popular traditions
The entry of the rods marks the beginning of the town's festivities, dedicated to Saint Sebastian (January 20).
Religious and traditional festivities are always accompanied by the animation of chichero or philharmonic music. Bullfighting evenings are recurrent in these celebrations.
"Goodbye my shortie" It is a nocturnal parade of mounts, to the sound of the philharmonic bands. In January and September every day after the montage there is a parade from the barrier to the park. To this parade is added the town that participates in bullfighting afternoons or other popular activities. Fireworks put the closure to this activity.
The national holidays are celebrated in September with a program that includes, in addition to cultural and educational activities, a display of bullfighting and popular tradition.
Aldomac Band
Music
La Aldomac Band is a family musical group active for four generations, they play grupera and philharmonic music. Directed by Efrain Garcia.
San Sebastian Band, formed 20 years ago, is directed by Alfredo García together with some 15 musicians.
Band El Chele Olman, founded in the 80's, has 12 members.
La band Richard Raudez active since 2016, it has twelve wind musicians for philharmonic music.
Sculptors
The municipality has several wood and stone sculptors, recognized for their art: Rodrigo Oporta, has 30 years of experience in wood sculpture, carving images of historical figures, animals and any other reason.
Aaron Reynoso, works stone sculpture since the 90s.
Rodolfo Reynoso, He has been working with wood and stone since the 90s, with anthropomorphic and zoomorphic themes. He is a collector of ancient pottery.
Craft trades.
The craft trades of the municipality correspond to its rural vocation, so we can find ranchers, farmers, campers, cheese makers, saddlers and midwives, in most of the regions they are organized by the Ministry of Health.
Sculptors
Wood craftswoman
Local figures who have contributed to the history and culture of the town
Rodolfo Reynoso, is a sculptor, compiler and promoter of the history and culture of Acoyapa. He is the owner and director of the only archaeological museum in the town.
Other sites of historical and cultural interest
Pre-Columbian Museum. It is a private space where you can see stone images that recall the indigenous era, as well as petroglyphs with figures from aboriginal mythology. Some wood imitations are offered for sale. This museum has more than 40 years of existence. Access to this collection is limited, the agreement with the owner, Mr. Reynaldo Reynoso, is required.
Ruins of Loviguisca. This historical space corresponds to the vestiges of an ancient indigenous population whose origins are lost in the passing of time. The ruins of an old colonial church with its bases, part of the mud brick floor and some stored tiles are preserved in the place. It is located in the San Agustín region.
La San Jose farm de los Gómez was an extensive cattle property. Its old and spacious mansions, the corrals and the perimeter walls are preserved.
The ruins of the San Ubaldo port They continue to resist the onslaught of time and the weather of the waters of Lake Cocibolca. It is located a short distance from the estuary and community of Polanco.
Crafts
Francisco Jimenez, in his family workshop, has been making wooden tablecloths since 2010, as well as large glass covers, spoons and forks to decorate kitchens and other products.
Beds, wardrobes and other furniture made by cabinetmakers such as Felipe García, Evert Sánchez, Melania Torres and Bernardo Gálvez are also manufactured.
Leather crafts such as saddles, saddles, boots, girdles, chaps, leggings and all kinds of implements for horseback riding, made by Dámaso Sevilla, Olman Mejía and José Ríos.
There are also in the municipality family or individual fabric craft workshops, where they make embroidery of any image on sheets, towels, blouses, dresses, among others. They are made by the ladies Sayonara Sequeira, Osneyda Sequeira, Teresa Ramírez, Edel García Bermúdez and Esmeralda Miranda, who, in addition to embroidery, make sports suits, school uniforms and bags.
Gallery
Tourist Offer Map