María Ignacia de la Roza

A Peruvian revolutionary leader who organized indigenous uprisings against Spanish colonial oppression in the early 19th century

María Ignacia de la Roza (1779–1826), known as 'La Roza,' was an indigenous leader in Peru who orchestrated one of the largest anti-colonial rebellions in South America. Born into the Quechua community, she became a weaver and healer before joining the resistance against Spanish exploitation. In 1814, she led a coalition of indigenous groups in the Rebellion of the Barzadas, demanding land rights and autonomy.

Though her rebellion was eventually suppressed, her leadership inspired future independence movements. De la Roza's story remains under-researched in mainstream history, but her legacy endures in Andean oral traditions. Explore historical accounts via Peruvian cultural archives or JSTOR academic papers.