One a maligned, misunderstood, and even ignored part of Chilean culture, the indigenous Mapuche people are now enjoying a revival of interest in their beliefs and way of life.
Mapuche cuisine is beginning to gain popularity, with a traditional spice made from a blend of smoked chile peppers now exported around the world. Mapuche herbal medicine is also beginning to interest non-indigenous Chileans as a means of treating illnesses without reliance on Western medicine.
The Chilean government is even trying to promote tourism to Mapuche villages, working closely with members of those villages to determine how visitors can be accommodated without commercializing their way of life.
If you study Spanish in Chile, you’ll definitely want to learn more about the Mapuche people. You might find our previous blog articles interesting as well: Mapuche People Part 1 and Part 2
Also, be on the lookout for more legal developments regarding indigenous groups. Earlier this year, the Chilean government pledged to provide more constitutional rights to native peoples, but how exactly that will be done remains to be seen.