The Chilean People 41in museums and their crafts are sold at fairs, outside of the
Temuco area, there is a striking absence of Mapuche culture
in everyday Chilean society.
The German Community
One large minority group that has been able to retain a
certain amount of its culture is the Germans. A government
programme implemented between 1852 and 1880
encouraged the mass immigration of Germans to tame the
south. Most German families remain in the Lake District,
especially in the cities of Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas,
Osorno, Valdivia and Temuco. German is still spoken by
members of the community and some speak Spanish with
an accent. They tend to send their children to German
speaking schools and marry amongst themselves. If you do
travel to the south, you must eat in a Club Alemán (German
Club). Excellent German food is served and you get a peek
inside this community.
Colonia Dignidad
In the 1960s a German by the name of Paul Schaefer came to Chile
to establish Colonia Dignidad (Dignity Colony). About 300 Germans
were persuaded to move to the farm near Chillán in southern Chile.
Members were isolated from the rest of the world and made to follow
the teachings of Schaefer. While no one on the outside really knew
what was going on inside the compound, neighbouring villagers did
not oppose its presence. Many of them took advantage of its free
school and clinic and asked no questions.
In 1997, amid accusations of child abuse and helping the Pinochet
government detain, torture and execute dissidents, Schaefer fled the
country. He was discovered in Argentina and extradited to Chile. In
2006, the 84-year old received a 20-year prison sentence for sexually
abusing children. Later that same year, another seven years were
added for illegal weapons possession.
The Colony no longer exists. Its members renamed the farm Villa
Baviera and issued a public apology for what had occurred on the
compound and have become part of normal Chilean society.The British
A number of other ethnic groups also immigrated, integrated
and subsequently contributed to Chilean culture. The British
came to Chile during the late 1800s, primarily as advisors