Chile

A long Pacific country stretching from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia, home to Mapuche heritage and rich coastal foodways.

Music & dance Crafts Spirituality & rites Textile & dress Food & cooking Language & oral

Knowledge in this place

Cueca

The national courtship dance performed with handkerchiefs, evoking the pursuit between rooster and hen.

Mapuche Silverwork

Mapuche Silverwork

The crafting of silver jewelry and adornments by the Mapuche, including pectorals and ritual headpieces.

Machi Tradition

Machi Tradition

The healing and spiritual practice of the Mapuche machi, leading ceremonies around the sacred rewe pole.

Spirituality & rites

Chamantos of Doñihue

Chamantos of Doñihue

Reversible woven ponchos from the Doñihue valley, made on the loom with fine double-faced patterns.

Textile & dress

Curanto

A Chiloé dish of shellfish, meat and potatoes cooked in a pit over hot stones covered with nalca leaves.

Mapudungun

The language of the Mapuche people, still spoken in southern Chile and the subject of revitalization efforts.

Language & oral