Mapuches, Patagonias oldest natives

Mapuches are the people of a native tribe thought to be origined in Patagonia, not only in Argentinean Patagonia but also in the Chilean side. They come from a series of previous paleoindian cultures. Nowadays the Mapuches origin is an issue yet to be solved.

Beliefs and religion

Their religion is based on the bond between the spiritual and the tangible world. Its main issues are related to the cult to the spirits, mythic ancestors, nature spirits and the relationship of the mapuche people with what they call “Ñuke Mapu”, that means mother nature, finally, “Ngüenechen” (owner of the people) is the equivalent to the Christian God.

Traditional ceremonies

The most relevant is the “Ngüllatün” (Ngülla means beg/pray and tüll action) which takes three days long and its celebrated once a year. It’s the ceremony through which Mapuches pray to Ngüenechen , it’s an instance of contact with god, they ask for protection, help and good weather it’s also  the moment to thank their god, to do this they offer sacrifices like the blood of their best animals.

In order to carry on Ngüllatün there must be a full moon  because it is a ceremony related to fertility.

Jenaro Calviño