Mapuche

The Mapuche are an Indigenous group located in south-central Chile and southwestern Argentina.

Their name is a relatively recent endonym. It means "People of the Earth" or "Children of the Land." This name comes from the words *mapu*, meaning earth, and *che*, meaning person. The Mapuche are a diverse ethnicity. They are composed of various groups that share a common linguistic heritage. They all speak Mapudungun. They also share social, religious, and economic structures. Today, they represent about 8.8% of Chile’s total national population. They also make up 77.16% of Chile’s Indigenous peoples.

Mapuche society is organized through extended families. These families function under the direction of a leader called a *lonko*, or chief.

Their traditional economy is based on agriculture. However, they also possess a rich material culture. They are well known for their intricate textiles and silverwork.

One example of their silverwork is the *trapelacucha*, a piece of silver finery.

In times of war, the Mapuche change their social organization. They unite into larger groupings to defend themselves. During these times, they elect a *toqui* to lead them. The term *toqui* means "axe" or "axe-bearer."

Historically, the Mapuche identified themselves by their specific geography. This created several distinct groups based on where they lived. The *Pikunche*, or "people of the north," lived in the valleys between the Choapa and Itata rivers.

The *Williche*, or "people of the south," lived as far south as the Chiloé Archipelago.

The *Lafkenche* are known as the "people of the sea." They lived in the land of the sea. The *Pewenche* lived in the land of the *pewen*, which refers to the *Araucaria araucana* tree. There were also the *Nagche*, who lived in the plains. Finally, the *Wenteche* were known as the "people of the valleys."

Archaeological evidence shows Mapuche culture existed as early as 600 to 500 BC.

They were genetically different from the Indigenous peoples of Patagonia. This suggests they had a different origin or a long separation from those populations. The Mapuche also encountered the Inca Empire. The Inca reached the Maule River and fought the Mapuche there. Most scholars believe the Inca border was near the Maipo River. Because of this, the bulk of the Mapuche escaped Inca rule. Contact with the Incas gave the Mapuche a new collective awareness. It helped them unite into loose geo-political units.

In the 1500s, the Spanish arrived and began the Arauco War.

This was a sporadic conflict that lasted nearly 350 years. In 1536, Diego de Almagro attempted a conquest but retreated. Later, Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1541. The Spanish tried to establish cities like Concepción and Valdivia. However, the Mapuche resisted these settlements. In 1553, the Mapuche held a council to resolve to make war. They chose the strong man Caupolicán as their *toqui*.

They also chose Lautaro as his vice *toqui*. Lautaro had served with the Spanish and created the first Mapuche cavalry corps.

Many famous leaders emerged during these centuries of struggle. Lautaro, also called "swift hawk," was a significant military leader. He attacked the fort at Tucapel and defeated the Spanish garrison. He also fought in the battles of Marihueñu and Mataquito. Another notable leader was Pelantaro, or "Shining Caracara."

In 1598, Pelantaro led a general uprising. This uprising resulted in the "Destruction of the Seven Cities." Spanish cities like Angol and Osorno were destroyed or abandoned. This forced the Spanish to leave most of the territory south of the Biobío River. The border remained stable for much of the following centuries.

During the colonial period, some groups changed. The northern *Picunche* mingled with the Spanish. This created a *mestizo* population that lost its Indigenous identity. However, society in Araucanía and Patagonia remained independent. This changed in the late nineteenth century. Chile occupied Araucanía and Argentina conquered Puelmapu. The Mapuche became subjects and eventually citizens of these states. Today, many Mapuche have migrated from rural areas to cities like Santiago and Buenos Aires. They continue to engage in the Mapuche conflict regarding land and Indigenous rights. They remain a vital part of the cultural landscape in both Argentina and Chile.