Prior to the arrival of the Spanish
colonizers the area of Urumita was inhabied by indigenous peoples pertaining to
the Chimilas. At the time of the Spanish arrival in the early 16th
Century, the area was governed by a Cacique named Uruma. After a period of
conquest and colonization by the Spanish, on October 3, 1785 Juan Bautista
Canalete founded the village of Urumita. The village became part of the
jurisdiction of the municipality of Villanueva within the Government
of Santa Marta. It was later made part of the Province of Padilla.
