MAPUCHES

LOCATION: Before european occupation, the mapuche population lay between the present city of Copiap and Chilo Archipelago, but the arrival of the Spanish, the population is concentrated mainly between the rivers Bio-Bio and Tolten, existing south the past and to Chiloe, an area with clear Mapuche cultural influence. FOOD: The Mapuche living from agriculture and animal husbandry, fishing and hunting. Of the wild fruits like maqui, Boldo, hazelnuts and pine nuts, which abounded in the forests of the south. Also cultivated for food: potatoes, pumpkin, quinoa, beans, mango (a kind of barley), products originating in Chile. TRADITIONS: The Nguillatn: is a rite of request being. Can be ordered by the weather, planting, harvesting, for no disease, for the abundance of food, strength and spiritual vitality. The reasons that lead to do this are many and diverse. Mainly directs one Machi (healer and receive God's gifts). The Machitn: This rite of healing is officiated by Machi, a person consecrated by the gods to fight evil forces (wekufe). This person must be initiated in a rite in which is assigned a hierarchy, which is represented by the number of steps carved on a stick (kemu-kemu), which is the symbol of his power. It is assumed that machis are designated by supernatural forces or fileus which in some cases are recognized as machis ancestors. LANGUAJE: The mapuzungun mapudungun or literally "the talk of the earth" is the language of the Mapuche. Jaime Rodrigo Machuca Vito 7 B