MAPUCHE CULTURE

“Mapuche people is and has always been one of the original ethnic group most important of Chile, for their social influence and demographic as well, for their strong feeling of cultural identity. They have found through history ways of resistance and adaptation to the dynamic of the borderline contact with Spanish and Chilean people.” 

I have always been an admirer of the Mapuche’s culture. Because of their bravery, that they have shown since the beginning of their existence (in books) with the Spanish that tried to conquer them and couldn’t and now how they make to the Chilean people things hard. I think that Chile hasn’t treated them like they should, they are part of our roots, and we owe them a lot more of respect that we as society are giving them. 

They are people from the earth, they respect mother earth as everyone should and are an example of this, they use natural medicine and are so spiritual that it makes me love them. 

When I was in a trip in another country, someone read me “my guardian” and told me that was a Mapuche, one of my ancestors that was a very powerful Machi. After all of this reading the person asked me what was a Mapuche and I told her all of this. Also, after this reading, I love even more the Mapuche people because it helped me find my real roots, it helped me find and connect with my ancestors, with my past. 

But what I highlight the most out the Mapuche’s essence is their spirituality and their respect for our mother earth.