Perquín: History

Pre-20th-Century History

Like most of El Salvador, Perquín was inhabited by Paleo-Indian peoples as far back as 10,000 years ago. Their fascinating paintings can still be seen in caves in the surrounding towns of Corinto and Cacaopera.

Archaeological remains show that trade in the east of the country was influenced by Lenca, Chorti and Pok'omama civilizations.

When the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, the country was dominated by Pipils - descendents of the Toltecs and Aztecs who came to central El Salvador in the 11th century. The Spaniards took a year to dominate the Pipil and, when they did, agriculture soared. Like all communities working the land, Perquín was under the control of 'the fourteen families', a small group of landowning elite who controlled virtually all of the colony's wealth and agriculture. Even after El Salvador won its independence in 1821, the same wealthy clique controlled the majority of the land.

Modern History

At the turn of the century, 95% of the country's wealth was derived from coffee exports and 2% of the population controlled that wealth. As a generally poor town, Perquín was at the mercy of the affluent minority.

The ensuing years did not improve and civil war broke out in 1981, following the merger of five guerrilla factions that formed the Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN). Their headquarters were located at Perquín, in no small part because the farmers naturally rallied to the guerrillas' call for land reforms. In 1981, the Perquín National Guard headquarters became the first major outpost of the security forces to fall to the guerrillas. The town was converted into a center of operations and guerrillas enjoyed broad popular support - the rugged, thickly treed landscape provided cover from military patrols. Perquín soon became known as the guerrilla capital of the country and American advisers to the Salvadoran Armed Forces referred to it as the 'red zone'. It was from here that the famed Radio Venceremos (Radio We Will Prevail) was broadcast to sympathizers across the country.

The Morazán Department consequently became a major rebel stronghold, earning it the ire of government forces. Some of the war's worst fighting took place here. Even communities that remained neutral suffered terrible persecution.

During the war, women made up about 40% of the FMLN membership: a third of the armed combatants and 20% of the military leadership. In January 1992, three high-ranking women commanders participated in peace talks to ensure that female soldiers, and noncombatant supporters, were included in combatant benefits programs. Upon the signing of the treaty, however, women ex-guerillas were pressured to return to roles they had previously occupied.

In August 1992, Perquín hosted its first Festival del Invierno (Winter Festival) to celebrate the signing of the Peace Accords and demonstrate to the country that it had embraced peace and was now safe.

Recent History

Since the end of the war, Perquín has become the main attraction along La Ruta de la Paz, aka The Peace Route, which cuts through several communities in the area and is popular with tourists.

Opened in 2004, Proarmo is a cooperative in Perquín specializing in artesanías (crafts) made throughout the Moranzán Department. It sells a wide assortment of crocheted items (hats, belts, bags, jewelry); there's also a smattering of wood, clay and henequen crafts. While it's a little kitsch, it has a lot of heart.

Back to top ^