40 CultureShock! Chile
have some Amerindian blood, many do not consider it
part of their cultural identity since they do not speak the
language nor participate in the traditions. Many may not
even be aware of their entire family background. Often
the lack of knowledge is part of a cultural amnesia that is
common in Latin America. The Spanish must accept some
of the blame: there is a long tradition in Spain of ‘purity of
blood’ that resulted in the persecution of minority groups.
This attitude travelled to the Americas even though few
Spanish women were brought to the New World. Most of
the early Spanish settlers kept Indian concubines. A friend
once said, “If you shake the family tree, an Indian woman is
likely to fall out.” However, the general mindset effectively
rejects this historical truth and instead identifies with a
more Chilean–European self-concept. Do not presume that
Chilean friends, no matter how dark their skin, consider
themselves to be part Mapuche or Aymara or any other
Amerindian group.Mapuche
The Mapuche are considered a distinct group with their
own set of customs and traditions. Census figures from
2002 indicate that there are around 600,000 Mapuches
in Chile, or about 4 per cent of the population. In order
to be counted as Mapuche, one needed to be currently
practising the culture or speaking the language. However,
more than a million Chileans identify themselves as at least
part Mapuche, many of whom have migrated to the cities
looking for work.
Although Chileans are proud of the fierce and powerful
Mapuche warrior legacy, Indians, in general, tend to be
looked down upon and the term indio possesses negative
connotations (lazy, stubborn). They are at the low end
of the social stratum, due in large part to high levels of
poverty. There have been violent clashes between Mapuches
and the police and disputes with private companies over
land ownership disputes. The struggle has become more
complex with demands for preservation of identity and legal
recognition as a people. Although their culture is celebrated