Mapudungun

The Mapuche, also known as the Aurocanos, are the native South-Chileans and Argentineans. With around one million people today they make up one of the largest indigenous ethnic groups in America.

The name (Mapuche) comes from the words Mapu (land) and che (people or folk), alternatively People of the land or land people. The term Aurocanos goes back to the Spanish conquest, when the Spaniards invaded the region in 1541.

Even before the invasion of the Spanish the Mapuche had proved their fearlessness up against the legendary Incas. They were the only indigenous people in South America able to withstand their attacks and therefore their land was never conquered.

When they were not being forced to defend their land, the Mapuche were simple people, primarily hunters or gatherers, fishermen or gardeners.