Huilliche, Southern Mapuche in Chile

Introduction / History

The Huilliche or Huilliche-Mapuche are the southern part of the Mapuche macro ethnic group in Chile and Argentina. They inhabited the Southern Zone, one of the five natural regions into which Chile is traditionally divided. It starts in the Araucanía region and ends approximately at the Reloncaví Sound. It includes the province of Arauco in the Biobío Region and the areas south of the Biobío River, the Araucanía and Los Ríos Regions, and the provinces of Osorno, Llanquihue, and Chiloé in the Lakes Region.

Huilliche means 'southerners' (Mapudungun willi 'south' and che 'people'.) A genetic study showed significant affinities between Huilliches and indigenous peoples east of the Andes, which suggests but does not prove a partial origin in present-day Argentina.

During the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries, the mainland Huilliche were generally successful at resisting Spanish encroachment. However, after the Figueroa incursion of 1792, Huilliches were decisively defeated and their territory was gradually opened to European settlement, beginning with the Parliament of Las Canoas. Today, most Huilliche speak Spanish, but some, especially older adults, speak the Huilliche language.

The “People of the South” were not characterized by their warrior ability, and their population was always smaller than that of the Araucanians. One of their great virtues was the variety of crops they were able to produce, among them corn and potatoes. Their main food was corn and beans, animals, and fish.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Among their economic activities, livestock breeding stood out: the raising of guanacos and huemules supplied them with meat, fur, and wool for their textiles. They were organized in levo or tribes, without a central chief. Their structure is patrilineal.

They live in houses made of branches and trunks that are very fragile, so they do not last more than 10 or 12 years.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The religion of these people was centered on the evocation of the ancestors and the extraterrestrial world with which they connected through the music of aboriginal instruments. The religious festivals they practice are among others: We Tripantu (indigenous new year), marriages or Mafutün, funerals or Eluwün, festivals of saints such as Nazareno de Caguach, Virgin in San Juan de la Costa and the feast of Candelaria. Also intercultural health practices, such as care with a cultural agent (Machi or Maestra de Paz), Meica or healer, with a person who knows natural herbs (lawentuchefe).

What Are Their Needs?

As the Huilliche are considered part of the Mapuche ethnic group, they are not recognized as an independent cultural group. Although they have access to basic education and some members of their community have excelled in Chilean culture, there are records that their schooling does not exceed high school level.

Prayer Points

Pray that God will move the hearts of the Lord's Church and lead workers with the Huilliches to come to the knowledge of the true God.
Pray that Christian groups in Chile will do what is necessary for the gospel to reach the most unreached areas.
Pray that the Huilliches will be recognized as Chileans with rights and responsibilities.

Text Source:   Joshua Project