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Mapuche Indians are a native people of South America, who
originally lived in an area around the Aconcagua Valley of
Chile, regions south of the island Chiloe and western parts
of Argentine Patagonia. They |
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still the largest ethnic group living in the Americas, even though their
numbers have been greatly reduced
since the Spanish Conquest. In
the Mapuche language, 'Mapu' means land and 'che' means human, so 'Mapuche'
stands for 'people of the land.' Before the Spanish came to this region
around 1540, the Mapuche were a prosperous people living from hunting,
fishing and farming. The regions where they lived were fertile; it was
covered with forests, and rich with precious metals and minerals. |
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HISTORY
The Spanish came to this region around 1540, but they never managed
to successfully conquer the Mapuche people. Although the Spanish
had more modern weapons, the Mapuche used their knowledge of their
land and other clever military tactics to their advantage. The most
famous Mapuche leader was Lautaro who lived in the 16th century
AD. He had been captured by the Spanish and became a servant to
the Conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. During his captivity he carefully
observed his enemies and learned about Spanish warfare. After Lautaro
managed to escape in 1540, he lead his Mapuche army all the way
up to the gates of Santiago, capturing and killing the Spanish leader
Valdivia. It is said that Lautaro invented guerrilla warfare, a
military tactic that would be used in many future South American
wars.
The Spanish
took much of the land and gold away from the Mapuches, yet because
of their fierce resistance they managed to live in relative freedom
from colonial involvement until the late 19th century. The Mapuche
people withdrew further and further south into Chile and lost
most of their land. They were forced into reservations and to
this day they had to survive by farming on very small plots of
land which wasn't very fertile. Until this day the Mapuche people
of Argentina and Chile are fighting to reclaim some of their old
territories and keep their culture alive.
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RELIGION
The Mapuche are a deeply religious people who view life as a
constant struggle between the powers of good and evil. They have
a dualist perception of the universe, meaning they view the cosmos
as two opposite and complementary worlds in one. One world is the
natural world, represented by the earth with its people. The other
is a supernatural world which is magical and spiritual represented
by the sky. The spiritual world is called Wenumapu, and it is an
organized and balanced region located between the clouds and the
cosmos. Here the gods, spirits and ancestors live. Next to the Wenumapu
is its opposite, the Anka-wenu, a disorganized and chaotic space
next to the clouds where evil spirits called Wekufes live. These
cause illnesses and suffering to mankind.
The Mapuche
worship a heavenly family of gods: Nguenechen, Kushe, Elmapun,
Elchen and Ngunemapun. The Machi spiritual leaders keep in contact
with the gods and are responsible for combating the power of Wekufu
(evil). The Nguillatún, a religious festival, most fully
expresses the heart of Mapuche religion. It is celebrated at different
times of the year to re-establish the balance in the lives of
the Mapuche. This can be in response to natural disasters or social
disorder. However, it can also be a ritual to give thanks for
a harvest or other good things. The Nguillatún ritual brings
the entire Mapuche community together, the living as well as the
dead, and is directed principally to the God of the sky, their
creator: Chau (also known as Nguenechen).
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SOCIETY,
ECONOMY AND POLITICS
The Mapuche did not have a central government but lived in communities
formed by extended families, led by a chief, called Lonko, which
literally means 'head.' These communities could be as large as 800
people. The Lonko received great respect and led his people in times
of war. Other than the Lonko, the most respected members of the
Mapuche society were the elderly and the Machis.
A Machi
was a woman who served as a shaman, or medicine woman in religious
ceremonies as well as in healing the sick and wounded. She was
also known as her people's representative to the gods. A Machi
could be recognized by her special ritual clothing and jewellery.
During religious festivals, such as Nnguillatúns, she danced
and performed on sacred instruments such as the Kultrun, a special
kind of drum.
The Mapuche
still speak their own language known as Mapudungun. Their rich
oral tradition contains many myths and stories, which they pass
along in their own language. This is how they managed to preserve
much of their culture and traditions up to this day.
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CULTURE
A typical Mapuche dwelling had a thatched roof hut, often with a
little side building that served as a kitchen. Polygamy was commonly
practised among the Mapuche Indians: this meant that one man could
marry more than one woman. The children had the task of herding
and feeding the farm animals, while both men and women worked on
the land. Mapuche men were very distinguished craftsmen, making
musical instruments, wooden tools, household utensils, and jewellery.
Women were skilful weavers and dyers of wool, they were taught this
craft by their mothers from a very early age. Other important cultural
expressions were dancing and singing. Good dancers and singers were
highly respected by the Mapuche people. |
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| "The
Big Myth" © Distant Train 2009 |
