The Mapuche
People of the Land
By: Jenna Roy
Culture & Geography
(Pre-contact)
The Mapuche are an indigenous culture
that originated from the area known as the
Southern Cone of South America. They are
one of the three surviving tribes of the
ancient Araucanian group of natives. The
name Mapuche means “people of the land”.
Their exact origin is not clear, but it is
suggested that they lived mainly within Chile
and parts of Argentina. Chile has a wide
variety of climate conditions. The east is
relatively dry and mountainous, while
southern Chile is cool and rainy year round.
The Mapuche population, before contact with
the Spanish, was approximately 2million.
Housing & Family
Mapuche housing, called rucas, were very basic with thatched roofs and dirt floors. They were built
to provide shelter for one family and were originally placed far from other rucas. Families would settle
in a region that provided territory for gathering, agriculture and grazing for the animals. Several
related families would gather and live together in the same region. Polygamy was not uncommon, and
if the man could afford it, he would take several brides. The man is considered head of the family, but
the women are just as economically independent. Women garden and usually posses their own
livestock, which can be sold under their consent.
Beliefs
The Mapuche religion is closely lined to the land and environment. They believe in the
existence of a divine family that includes, Old God, Young God, and their two wives. The
Machi, the spiritual leader of the community, is the one who is able to communicate with
the divine ones. The divine ones have unlimited powers and are usually invisible. The
Mapuche are also polytheistic and believe in a number of gods. The gods are categorized
into three groupings; major, minor, inferior. Pillan, a minor god, is the god of thunder and
volcanoes. Today, the Mapuche religion often mixes ideas of Christianity and their
traditional religion.
Myths and legends play a major role in the Mapuche culture. The link below provides a
popular Mapuche myth.
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Food
The Mapuche were knowledgeable about methods for
agriculture, fruit gathering, fishing, hunting, and acquired
tools for these methods. The area of Arauco, where it is
suspected they might have lived, was by the sea. This
provided vast amounts of fish and edible seaweed. Rivers
and lakes also provided the Mapuche with an abundance
of fish. As for hunting, the Mapuche used domesticated
dogs (kiltros) and traps set to catch small animals and
birds. They also hunted guanacos and huemul deer. The
culture used the slash and burn method. This consisted of
clearing a piece of woodland, usually by burning, to sow
the seeds. Their basic foods included pallares beans,
peppers, potatoes and other vegetables. Although towards
the south they had began to develop their agriculture
under the influence of the Incas. Here they were able to
incorporate corn (maize) into their diet. The pewen nut
was an important food for the Mapuche, since it was used
to make the flour that was the basis of their diet. Also, they
were able to domesticate and breed guanacos and llamas
and in the north, minor cattle.
A llama
Tools & Technology
The Mapuche everyday utensils were constructed out of wood, but they were
able to create tools out of stone as well. They created ornate masks, sculptures,
pipes, grinding tools, cutting tools, and musical instruments.
Pottery
A Mapuche mask
An example of a Mapuche sculpture. This particular one
was most likely used as a funeral marker.
Government & Trade
Relations
Within the social structure of the Mapuche culture, the chief or “Lonko” is
responsible for his family and community. He or she is head of the group of
authorities that are responsible for the destiny of the community. This group
included the Machi (spiritual guide or doctor), the Ngenpin (the master of
ceremony), the Werrken (the messenger), and the Nidol (the instructor of laws).
The Machi, almost always women, had extensive knowledge about herbal
medicines. It was said that she could predict the weather, interpret dreams, and
ward off evil spirits. The rest of the group were responsible for upholding legal
judgments passed by the Ad-mapu and all were greatly respected within their
communities. During times of warfare, the Mapuche would unite in larger
groupings and elect a “Toqui”, who was responsible and in charge of the army.
The Mapuche did not associate much with other indigenous cultures. They
would not accept any foreign cultural ideas or domination. They were the only
indigenous group to withstand and resist the Incan Empire’s attempts to conquer
them. Therefore, the Mapuche communities traded mostly amongst themselves.
They usually traded llama furs, textiles, and various vegetables and meats with
one another.
European Contact
When the Spanish first arrived in Mapuche territory in 1536, the Mapuche welcomed
them. Only when the Spanish came back in 1541 with intentions of conquering them,
did the Mapuche change their views of the Spanish. Spain was trying to expand the
boundaries of their colonies. They invaded Mapuche territory, raped women, pillaged
the communities, and enslaved many of them. The Mapuche society had no concept
of slavery, and therefore did not understand becoming slaves to the Spanish. These
events are what started a fierce resistance from the Mapuche peoples and lasted for
350 years. It became known as the Araurcanian War.
The Mapuche were able to resist the Spanish, in inferior
numbers most of the time, because of their great battle
tactics. Unlike other indigenous tribes, the Mapuche were
innovative and used new military tactics and weapons. They
incorporated horses, armor, and artillery cannons. The
Mapuche warriors were known to be extremely courageous
and ferocious in battle.
Trade/Economic Impact
The 350 years of war were not only just filled
with hostility and violence but often allowed for
substantial trade between the two cultures. The
Mapuche would trade llama wools, various
vegetables, and ornate weavings with the Spanish.
In return they were granted horses, and metal
utensils. The trade with the Spanish allowed for
the Mapuche to incorporate new weapons and
horses in to their battles, therefore making them a
force to be reckoned with. It further improved
their chances of fighting against the Spanish and
other enemies.
Treaty of Quillin
After a century of the arrival of the Spanish, the
Mapuche forced them to sign the Treaty of Quillin. By
signing the treaty, the Spanish acknowledged their
failure to defeat the Mapuche nation and recognized the
independence of the people. The treaty also agreed that
the Bio-Bio river was the border and that the Spanish
would retreat to the North of the river. The Mapuche in
return would release Spanish prisoners of war and allow
missionaries to continue with their work. Both the
Spanish and Mapuche agreed not to violate the settled
borders. However, the Spanish did not live up to their
side of the agreement and kept kidnapping the natives,
enslaving them, and pillaging their communities. Spain’s
actions is what maintained the permanent state of war.
Results of Contact
Contact with Europeans had both advantages and disadvantages. When Spain
attempted to conquer the Mapuche, it resulted in much bloodshed and violence. It
produced a raging war that continued for years. Contact with the Europeans
resulted in widespread starvation and diseases. As a result, the Mapuche’s
population dramatically dropped and both their herding and agricultural
traditions were disrupted. When the Mapuche were finally defeated in 1885 by
Chilean and Argentinean armies, many were either slaughtered or forced from
their homes to live in small rural communities in the city. As a result, many
suffered severely from poverty.
Contact with Europeans in
some ways benefited the Mapuche
culture. It united the people
together and thus made it harder
for the Spanish to conquer. It also
allowed for them to posses new
technologies and improve their
culture.
Present Day
Today, the Mapuche still live in parts of Chile and
Argentina. There is approximately 900,000 living in the two
countries. In Chile, the Mapuche make up about 10% of the
population but their population is decreasing. Despite the
assimilation efforts from Chile, the Mapuche have been able
to preserve their traditional language (Mapu-dugun), their
religion, and their agricultural methods. However, many
still live on the reservations or have migrated to cities in
search of better economic opportunities. Around 40% of the
Mapuche live in Chile’s capital, Santiago.
Treatment towards the Mapuche culture has improved
very little. The government in Chile still consistently refuse
to promote and protect the rights of their indigenous
groups. The education system in Chile ignores and doesn’t
teach students about the Mapuche culture and therefore
makes it difficult for Mapuche children to maintain their
cultural identity. As a result, the Mapu-dugun ( Mapuche
language) is quickly dying out. Also, there is much racism
towards them, and many stereotypes made on their culture
including being lazy and alcoholics. Today, their main
source of income comes from agriculture, cattle and grains.
Land Claims
Like many other indigenous cultures around
the world, the Mapuche have had to endure being
forced from their land and placed on reserves.
They feel that they should have the right to get
back the land that was once theirs. Chile exports
vast amounts of lumber to the U.S. and almost all
of it comes from the land that the Mapuche claim
is rightly theirs.
Mapuche peoples protesting in the streets to
get back land that used to belong to them.
Also, Argentina has its share of land claims from the Mapuche. A recent example is the
case involving Mapuche against Benetton in Patagonia. Dozens of Mapuche have gathered on
more than 534 acres of disputed land, claiming that historically and legally it belongs to them.
Lucas Millan, a Mapuche native, said, "For years we remained silent ... we were oppressed,
but not any more... The law gives us the right to have this land, but nobody respects it,”
(Sagaris p.77).
Comparing The Mapuche
To the Iroquois
The Mapuche and Iroquois cultures had both many similarities and differences. They both
had strong religious beliefs and respected and appreciated the land. They both had suffered from
contact with the Europeans and still suffer from many social problems today. Both of the
cultures relied on similar foods – mainly hunting animals and growing crops such as maize and
other vegetables. The Iroquois were more advanced in their knowledge of agriculture. The
Mapuche used the slash and burn method, while the Iroquois had developed crop rotation.
Another difference was that the Iroquois had a much more advanced form of government. The
six tribes formed a confederacy which many citizens, including Benjamin Franklin, admired.
The Iroquois seemed to have developed better relations with the Europeans, and became trading
partners with the French and Dutch.
Today, both groups have had to endure racism and
stereotypes. People of the Iroquois nations have seemed
to have been able to adapt better to a more modern way
of living. Many of the Mapuche still live in their
traditional rucas housing. Canadian and U.S.
governments seem to have a better understanding and
respect for their native’s than Chile does. In Chile, the
Mapuche’s heritage and culture is ignored and not
mentioned in any classrooms at school.
Bibliography
Fairfield Sheila. Peoples & Nations of the Americas. Milwauke: Gareth
Stevens Publishing, 1988.
Saragis Lake. After the First Death: A Journey Through Chile, Time, Mind.
Toronto: Somerville House, 1996.
The Mapuche Nation. June 10th/08. Available: www.mapuchenation.org/english/main/feature/m_nation.htm
Mapuche. June 9th/08. Available: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mapuche
The Mapuche Nation. June 11th/08. Available:
http://members.aol.com/mapulink3/mapulink-3i/map-nat.html
The Mapuche Language. June 12th/08. Available:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~rehue/lang/lan002.html
The Mapuches. June 12th/08. Available:
http://www.cholchol.org/en_mapuche.php