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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
December 6, 2005
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| November 19, 2005 |
Respecting and reviving the indigenous cultures of Chile: the passion of Bruno Serrano |
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| Guest Educator from Chile, Bruno Serrano |
As Peace Boat cruised between Peru and Rapa Nui (Easter Island) on her 51st voyage, participants had the chance to learn about Chile’s diverse ethnicities and culture, through a series of lectures and workshops from Chilean human rights activist, Bruno Seranno. |
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| People of the Mapuche tribe perform a traditional dance, for Peace Boat part participants when they visited a Mapuche community near Valparaiso, Chile |
Bruno, who works for the Ministry of Culture and Education in Chile, shared his fascinating past as a bodyguard for Chilean President Salvador Allende right up until the leader’s death in 1973. As well as talking of his views about the history and politics of Chile, Bruno introduced Peace Boat participants to the diverse cultures of Chile, and the problems that minority indigenous people face.
Bruno is not of indigenous Chilean decent, but feels a powerful connection to the native people of his home country. “I was born in the mountains south of Chile, and when I was a few months old, my mother could not provide milk for me. Nearby, there was a Mapuche woman who had a child about the same age. She was breast-feeding him and began to also provide milk for me. I feel like ever since I was a child, I have had something inside me that has brought me closer to the indigenous peoples and their way of life,” he said. |
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| Bruno, with fellow Peace Boat guest Andrea Alvarez, shows Peace Boat participants the various traditions of the Mapuche people of Chile |
There are several recognized indigenous populations within Chile: Aymara, Kechua, lican, Antai, Kolla, Mapuche, Kawesquar, Yagan, Diegueta, and Rapa Nui. It is estimated that at least 10 per cent of Chileans have an indigenous background, yet there is a loss of culture and identity among many people in Chile, according to Bruno. This is partly due to an influx of movement to cities, which makes it more difficult to practice traditional customs. Other problems for indigenous peoples include loss of land and water resource rights. |
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Bruno is part of a non-governmental organization called Ser Indigena, which seeks to increase awareness of the plight of indigenous tribes throughout Chile, and to unite different tribes within each indigenous population to work together. Ser Indigena has created a series of documentaries focusing on indigenous populations, and has also published books and dictionaries of indigenous languages and culture. A website helps disseminate information about the various activities of the different populations, and creates a network for the various indigenous populations, says Bruno.
Though the movement to have the rights of indigenous tribes recognized is an ongoing battle, there has been significant growth in activity in recent years. With many projects and activities underway to promote the unique cultures of Chile, Bruno shows no signs of slowing down his work. “I think that I have found something magical in working with indigenous peoples in Chile,” he said.
For more information about Ser Indigena, please visit: www.serindigena.cl (Spanish)
>>read more about Bruno Serrano. |
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