Anamorós is a municipality in the La Unión department of El Salvador. However there are other possible interpretations. With the name and its location in the middle of Lenca former territory, there is no doubt the Lenca people were in Anamorós before the Spanish, but Jorge Larde y Larin (from El Salvador´s Ministry of Culture) claims it was not really a village or town prior to Spanish Conquest, saying such a thing was not mentioned in the ancient chronicles.

Brief Timeline

During El Salvador's Colonial Era (1528–1811)

  • In 1530, the Spanish founded the city of San Miguel to begin conquering the Lenca people in the eastern half of present-day El Salvador.
  • In 1536, San Miguel was destroyed by one of the largest organized resistances of indigenous people of Latin America, led by Lenca ruler, Lempira. His influence was spread all over the majority of Honduras and the Lenca (Potones) of Eastern El Salvador which would have included Anamorós. The Spanish soon retaliated and defeated the resistance.
  • In 1737 the lands of Anamorós were measured and divided by the government.
  • In 1740, there was a population of 28 of which no Catholic Church was founded yet.
  • In 1972, Anamorós finally gained the title of city as "Ciudad de Anamorós."

Civil War (1979–1992)

Between January 1980 and July 1991, El Salvador was in a civil war, fought between the U.S.-backed Salvadoran government and the FMLN front guerrillas. During this time many guerrilleros from the FMLN movement and soldiers from the government would be guilty of violence and human rights violations (the militant government, so far, is known to be guilty of far more than half of it).

Specifically, in Anamorós: In November 1983, 135 Salvadoran soldiers surrendered to the FMLN. That same month, the prisoners of war were later released to the ICRC. In the middle of the road, a fourteen-year-old was hurt by an FMLN mine sometime in August 1985. A well-known photojournalist, Scott Wallace, has passed through the area of Anamorós and documented his experience.

Post-War and Gang Violence (1993–2019)

El Salvador post war era was marked with a rejuvenation of democracy and government reformation, but it also paved way for organized crime. The ruling parties (that were once the civil war factions) were unable to deal with the gangs terrorizing inside and outside the country. Anamorós was no exception from being a victim (or target) of gang activity.

Nuevas Ideas (2019–present)

The country of El Salvador has seen the largest positive change since Nayib Bukele have become President of El Salvador. His new party, Nuevas Ideas "New Ideas", was the first one to come into power since the political domination of the two post war parties FMLN and ARENA. Following a sudden increase in gang violence in March 2022, Bukele and the Legislative Assembly declared a one-month emergency regime, suspending constitutional rights and relaxing the rules for making arrests. Since then, as part of a ruthless anti-gang campaign, security forces have arrested more than 77,000 people.

Now the city of Anamorós enjoys a time of relative peace and economic improvement. Real estate development is expected to increase by 70%. Tourism has increased, and now the city awaits the announced project of a new airport in the department of La Unión, whereas before the nearest international airports were in San Salvador (the only one in El Salvador, but on the opposite side of the country), or Tegucigalpa, Honduras (technically closer to Anamorós but in a different country).

Name Origin

The name of Anamorós comes from the Lenca language of Potón. It has three possible meanings:

  • Corn field (or a place where corn can be found) in Spanish: "Maizal" Anam = corn, Oro,Oros = locative suffix
  • Eaters of Zapote Amo = Zapote, Ros = to eat
  • Place of lizards (or geckos) Anam = lizard, Oro,Oros = locative suffix

Culture

thumb|Drawing of the Catholic Church Paish: Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Asunción

Church

Like most towns established or organized by the Spanish, Anamorós has a Catholic Church in the main town square named: Iglesia Católica Parroquia Nuestra Señora Virgen de la Asunción. This is Oscar Romero's first appointed parish location.

Festivities

The Fiestas Patronales (patron saint festivities) of Anamorós are celebrated from the 10th to 16 August in honor of the Virgin of Asunción.

Administration

The municipality is divided into 8 cantons (a rural administrative division) and 84 hamlets, which are:

  • Agua Blanca
  • Cordoncillo
  • El Carbonal
  • El Cedro
  • El Tizate
  • Huertas Viejas
  • Terreritos
  • Tulima