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Our Mission
The Mapuche People:
Sacred Places
and Tradition Roles
Mapuche Families
Supported Programs:
The Cooperative
of Women Weavers Program
Student Sponsorship
Program
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Pachamama Conservation
Sacred
Places and Traditional Roles
in Mapuche Culture |
The Men Of The
Earth
The Mapuche People called themselves
"People of the Earth" (MAPU=EARTH, CHE=PEOPLE).
Their Language "MAPUDUNGUN" is defined as
the language of the Earth
Machi Margarita
Machi:
In the Mapuche tradition,
Machi is the Healer - Medicine Women - Curandera.
Machi guides spiritual ceremonies and rituals,
and like a Medicine Women, she uses a variety of
different herbs for healing purposes.
She is also a midwife. Machi uses, during times of ceremonies,
protective amulets and symbols, entwining themselves in their
mystery with the earth and Gods.
By wearing protectives amulets they feel protected against
the spells and incantations of evil spirits.
Some of the
Ceremonies Machi's Guide:
Machitun:
Healing the sick
Magical ritual of initiation
of the Machi
Blessings for good harvest
Guillatun
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Rehue
Re: genuine, exclusive
Hue: place where something happened
Rehue: Is the Sacred Tree., an
Altar. It is the path that links
the Machi with their GOD(CHAU) and their Ancestor's spirits.
In the Nquillatun Ceremony all the offerings, food and
beverages, are placed under the Rehue. Machi climbs
to
the top of the Rehue, the place that is the closest to the spirits,
far away from the people and the earth. And from
this place
she starts her comunication with GOD(CHAU).
Machi receives guidance and visions in answer to her petition.
She then shares this quidance with her community.
Rehue is also a place of hierarchy and is built in front
of Machi's house "Ruca", so everybody knows her hierarchy.
This Sacred figure from the Araucanos-Mapuche people,
represents their spiritual and religious beliefs and is their
Key to communicate with GOD(CHAU).
From the conqueror's time until now, Rehue continue
with the challenge of the time passing by, the evolution
of things and it is an eternal symbol of enduring of the
Araucanos-Mapuche people culture.
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Ruca :Traditional Mapuche dwelling.
Wood is used to
construct the Ruca framework. Roof and Walls are
lined
up with straw.
One whole family lives in this dwelling. Sometimes
a Mapuche family household is 12, 13 or more family members
including grandmothers and grandfathers or uncles or aunts.
Ruca has a single room where the room serves the family
as bedroom, livingroom, diningroom, kitchen area and
storage room. In the middle of the room there is
always
a fire going, that keeps the family warm and dries up the
wet clothes and keeps the kettle going for Yerba Mate Tea
or for cooking or smoking food.
Inside, the Ruca is always dark, no windows are constructed
and you can only see silhouette's moving.
Animals are important members for the Mapuche people
so chickens, cats and dogs live in the Ruca with the family.
Ruca has been the home of the Mapuche people for centuries.
It is their Sanctuary.
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Lonko Esteban from Nahuel
Huapi (picture above)
Longko or Chieftain, Is the Chief of the Community.
He is in charge of the well being of all the People.
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