Mapuche roundtable
"The Mapuche and Chilean national identity."
The Chilean Constitution is now practically the only one in Latin America which contains no reference to the collective rights of its indigenous peoples. This is indicative of a national identity crisis. While official history sees Mapuche society and customs as foundational to the myth of the "raza chilena" and the independent nation, the Chilean State criminalizes social protest and maintains a permanent, low-level state of seige around the indigenous communities. Some historians see this as a continuation of the so-called "pacification" process - or war - which began in the second half of the nineteenth century which concluded with the occupation and usurption of Mapuche territory to the south. As the term suggests, Mapuche language, customs and practices are tolerated (and even revered) today as long as those who practice them remain compliant with the dominant culture and do not make political demands. Those who demand land rights or political autonomy are considered not only to be a threat, but also to be traitors and barbarians, and are dealt with accordingly.
Is it possible to restore dignity and autonomy to the Mapuches within the framework of an exclusive and centralised state, which sees them as a potential challenge to national identity?
This roundtable has been organized by Dan Carter, PhD candidate, Centre of Latin American Studies, Cambridge, and will take place in Seminar Room E, Second Floor, 17 Mill Lane, with Jaime Luis Huenún Villa, Roberta Bacic, Leslie Ray, Charlie Nurse & Karen Cereso.
All welcome, please register here.