What are Mapuche Indians?

Mapuche, the most numerous group of Indians in South America. They numbered more than 1,400,000 at the turn of the 21st century. Most inhabit the Central Valley of Chile, south of the Biobío River. In the pre-Spanish period, the Mapuche lived in scattered farming villages throughout the Central Valley.

Are Mapuches indigenous?

The Mapuche (/mæˈpʊtʃi/ (Mapuche & Spanish: [maˈputʃe])) are a group of Indigenous inhabitants of present-day south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina, including parts of present-day Patagonia. At the time of Spanish arrival, the Araucanian Mapuche inhabited the valleys between the Itata and Toltén rivers.

What is the Mapuche religion?

The religious beliefs of the Mapuche are primarily based on spirit worship of ancestors (mythical or real), and spirits, and elements of nature. These spirits do not correspond to “deities”, as is commonly understood in the Western world.

How old is the Mapuche tribe?

The Mapuche people of southern Chile and Argentina have a long history dating back as an archaeological culture to 600–500 BC. The Mapuche society had great transformations after Spanish contact in the mid–16th century.

Where did the Mapuche originate?

Based on mDNA analysis of various indigenous groups of South America it is thought that Mapuche are at least in part descendant of peoples from the Amazon Basin that migrated to Chile through two routes; one through the Central Andean highlands and another through the eastern Gran Chaco and the Argentine Northwest.

Who do the Mapuche worship?

the Machi
The Mapuche’s religion is one of animal and ancestor worship. It is the Machi who are the spiritual leaders and healers. They must train extensively to become a Machi. It is funny that the Machi are mostly women.

Why are the Mapuche important?

These textiles, often ponchos and blankets, were considered an important trading good. In addition to their textile production, the Mapuche were also known for their metalwork and in the mid-18th century, many Mapuche started to produce silver finery.