Prince Atonal

Long ago, Cuzcatlán had different provinces, which had been appointed by chiefs. They were the local leaders and owed obedience to the Lord of Cuzcatlán. Prince Atonal governed the Izalco area.

In Izalco, Atonal had the mission to confront the Spanish invaders and every Indian who joined them in the conquest of Cuzcatlán in 1524 (figure 1).

One night, in his council, Atonal took the floor and exclaimed: “My life for our people. Oh, great Lord.” This declaration manifested immense satisfaction in the Atlacatl (the last lord of Cuzcatlán). Everyone presented the spirit of struggle and solidarity as never before.

Figure 1. Prince Atonal vs the Conquistadors. ¹ 

Atonal and his assistants prepared the strategy that was to stop the invaders. He placed a few spies along the coastal paths from the River of La Paz to Caluco. Also, he put a parapet between Mochicalco and Acatepeque, where he placed a Calpulli (a small combat unit composed of a dozen of the best Pipil warriors).

Pedro de Alvarado arrived near Acaxual on June 8th; his instinct told him to pass by and not approach the plane. However, fate imposed itself; in front of him, there was an immense lake of mud: “The marshy area.”

It had to turn more towards the south because he couldn't help him. When the Castilian soldiers did, the bulk of the Pipil warriors surrounded them. Before that unpleasant surprise, Pedro de Alvarado ordered: Fire with everything! Long live in Spain. Finish the Indians!" And the fierce combat was unleashed.

In the middle of that carnage, Atonal fought with bravery. With one hand, his spear killed enemies, and in his other one, he had a mallet made of Maquilishuat trunk, with which he gave tremendous hits that left them completely paralyzed.

Pedro de Alvarado mounted on his battle horse to fight without truce, giving his warriors an example. While he was mounting, Atonal prepared his spear, and raising his right arm, he threw it. The hit was strong and direct towards the horse of the haughty Spaniard. The spear went on its way without stopping, and stuck, powerfully in the thigh of Pedro de Alvarado (which left him lame for life). The spear was so powerful that it crossed his leg that even wounded the horse.

The Pipil survivors looked for Tacuzcalco to join the other group that there waited for the invaders, Atonal met with the detachment of warriors that had left near Tacuzcalco; he organized the combat and alerted them to the imminent presence of the Conquistadors. The Spaniards encamped on the way to bandage the wounds of their boss. Five days after the action of Acaxual, the Castilian troops headed towards Tacuzcalco, where they were waiting for around five thousand Pipil warriors.

The battle of Tacuzcalco was bloodier than that of Acaxual, but in the end, the Spaniards prevailed thanks to their superior weapons. Seeing such great destruction among his brothers, Atonal escaped with the survivors towards the mountains. Pedro de Alvarado saw and ordered his brothers Gonzalo and Jorge: “FOLLOW HIM, REACH HIM AND KILL HIM! HE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY LIMP.”

Atonal and his men protected themselves behind some big rocks. They were willing to sell their defeat very dearly. In that mortal trance, Atonal remembered his promise: “My life for our people. Oh, great Lord.” And throwing a thunderous battle cry, he left his hiding place and rushed on his persecutors; in his left hand, he carried his spear, and in the other, his mallet. The prince managed to get close to his enemies. His spear stuck on one of the men's shoulders. However, when he was about to strike a mortal blow with his spear at Jorge de Alvarado, Gonzalo used his musket and shot two times, and Atonal fell mortally dead.

The survivors affirmed that after the martyrdom, Atonal's body was taken with loving devotion, by his brothers to Caluco. Atonal's soal was taken by several eagles (who appeared from the horizon) and deposited in the “heaven of the gods,” at Quetzalcoatl's right hand, where he lives forever.

Inspired by Leyendas de El Salvador’s version.

 Credits:
Location: Izalco, El Salvador

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