- List of original peoples of Chile and their main characteristics
- Mapuche
- Aymara
- Likanantaí or Atacameños
- Quechua
- Changos
- Chono
- Diaguita
- Kawésqar
- Selk'nam
- Tehuelche
- References
The original peoples of Chile currently constitute less than 10% of the total population of that nation. From a biological point of view these people are largely an Indo-Hispanic mix. However, indigenous characteristics predominate.
In addition, despite the influence of Western culture, they have preserved many indigenous elements. This is especially evident in the sociocultural sphere, especially language, beliefs and customs.
Of the original peoples of Chile to the arrival of the Spanish, few groups survive. Among the main ones, with obvious changes and mixtures, are the Aymara and Quechua in the highlands in the extreme north of Chile.
In the region of the lake in the south, the Mapuches or Araucanians are found. Also, in the area of the straits of Chilean Patagonia there are some very small populations of Fuegian Indians.
List of original peoples of Chile and their main characteristics
Mapuche
Upon the arrival of the Spanish conquerors, one of the original peoples of Chile was the Mapuche. This people lived in the fertile valleys of southern Chile. Their culture was based mainly on hunting and gathering. The conflict between the Spanish and the Mapuche lasted about 300 years, and is known as the Arauco War.
Today, the Mapuches generally live in the extreme south of Chile, around Temuco. They represent approximately 4% of the Chilean population. Many continue to live within their own communities somewhat separate from the rest of Chileans.
Aymara
In the 1960s, there were great migrations from the highlands to the coast by the original peoples of Chile. Among these groups was the Aymara people.
Today, the majority of the Chilean Aymara population lives and works in the coastal cities of Arica and Iquique. However, a significant number of them remain in the highlands of northern Chile. There, their lifestyle is still rooted in the traditions of the last thousand years.
In the highlands, the Aymara are dedicated to herding llamas and sheep and growing products such as potatoes and barley.
There are an estimated 48,000 Aymara in Chile in the areas of Arica, Iquique and Antofagasta.
Likanantaí or Atacameños
The Atacameño culture has 12,000 years of history. Its ancestral culture has been preserved thanks to the fact that it developed in one of the most inhospitable areas in the world: the oases, valleys and ravines of the foothills of the Andes mountain range.
This region was originally populated by hunter-gatherers, in the area from the salt lake of Atacama to the altitudes of the Andes.
Today, many members of this ethnic group are concentrated in Toconao, in the north of Chile. Its inhabitants live from crafts, fruit growing, mining and tourism.
Quechua
The Quechua language gives identity to this indigenous group. This language is spoken mainly in Ollagüe and San Pedro Estación, in Alto Loa, and in Tarapacá. The Quechua communities of Ollagüe and San Pedro are mainly dedicated to livestock.
Others, albeit on a smaller scale, practice agriculture, harvesting vegetables, and extracting non-metallic minerals. For its part, agriculture is the main economic activity of the Quechua people of Tarapacá.
However, several factors have negatively impacted this traditional economy. One of these factors is migration to urban centers.
Changos
Chango was the name given to the fishermen of the north coast of Chile by the Europeans. These fishermen were descendants of a long tradition of cultures dedicated to fishing and exploitation of marine resources.
The monkeys lived mainly in the sector between Cobija and Coquimbo. It was a nomadic people that was mainly dedicated to the extraction of mollusks and fish. Another of her activities was hunting sea lions.
Chono
The Chono people, now extinct, lived in southern Chile, between the Gulf of Corcovado and the Gulf of Peñas. The last surviving family from Chono was reported in 1875. After this the entire Chono tribe died or was absorbed by the populations of other peoples in Tierra del Fuego.
They were a nomadic people who hunted birds and seals. They also fished and collected eggs and shellfish. Sometimes they took advantage of the meat of beached whales.
On the other hand, the only domesticated animal they had in pre-Hispanic times was a small long-haired dog. These were trained to help in hunting and fishing.
In the post-colonial years, the Chono grew some corn and barley, and kept some sheep and goats.
Diaguita
In 2006, the government of the nation officially recognized the Diaguitas as one of the original peoples of Chile. Today's Diaguita people appear to be descended from many different groups rather than a single tribe or nation.
The Diaguita lands were also ruled by the Incas and, later, by the Spanish. This meant the devastation of its population.
Currently, the approximately 600 people who have official diaguita status live in the Huasco Valley, in the Norte Chico of Chile. This region is part of its original pre-Columbian territory.
Kawésqar
Unlike many original peoples of Chile, who were farmers, hunters and shepherds, the Kaweskar were nomadic sailors. Until very recently, members of this indigenous group continued this lifestyle.
To date, very few still live that way. There are even very few speakers of their language. There is an estimated 2,622 Kawésqar population in southern Chile.
Selk'nam
The Selk'nam are also known as Ona or Onawo. These lived in the Patagonian region of southern Chile and Argentina, including the islands of Tierra del Fuego.
The Selk'nam are considered extinct as a tribe. They spoke the Chon language, and the last speaker died in 1974. With his death, the cultural heritage of this tribe almost does not exist.
Tehuelche
The Tehuelches previously inhabited the Patagonian plains from the Strait of Magellan to Río Negro. They were divided into Northerners and Southerners, each with their own dialect.
The former have been classified as nomads who rode horses. For their part, the Southerners walked on foot. Both groups became famous in European literature for their great stature and physical strength.
On the other hand, the Tehuelches lived mainly on guanaco and ñandú meat, as well as some plant foods. But they did not practice agriculture. This tribe was finally defeated and culturally assimilated by the European settlers.
References
- Berdichewsky, B. (1977). Agrarian reform in Chile and its impact on the Araucanian indian communities. In E. Sevilla-Casas (editor), Western Expansion and Indigenous Peoples: The Heritage of Las Casas, pp. 133-162. The Hague: Mouton Publishers.
- South America. (s / f). Mapuche. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from southamerica.cl.
- Meghji, S.; Kaminski, A. and O'Brien, R. (2005). The Rough Guide to Chile. New York: Penguin.
- Earth Cultures. (s / f). Lican Antay Culture of the Atacama, Chile. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from earth-cultures.co.uk.
- Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. (s / f). Original peoples of Chile. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from precolombino.cl.
- National Museum of Cultural History. Chile. (s / f). Educational guide: The monkeys. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from mnhn.cl.
- Encyclopædia Britannica. (1998, July 20). Chono. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from britannica.com.
- Expat Focus. (2015, September 23). A Guide To The Indigenous Cultures Of Chile. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from expatfocus.com.
- Georgievska, M. (2016, September 19). The tragedy of the Selk'nam people - one of the last native tribes in South America. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from thevintagenews.com
- Encyclopædia Britannica. (2016, April 18) Tehuelche. Retrieved on February 5, 2018, from britannica.com.