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Life Onboard |
LAST UPDATE
May 8, 2006
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| February 16, 2006 |
Contemporary Struggles for Chile’s People of the Earth – Andrea Alvarez |
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“Many [people of Mapuche descent] are ashamed because of the discrimination which we have suffered historically in Chile. But I feel proud of being a Mapuche because I’m from this land; not a foreigner who came to conquer”, states guest lecturer Andrea Alvarez. Onboard from Ushuaia to Valparaiso, Andrea represents a new generation of indigenous youth determined to keep ancestral traditions within a world which does not seem to have a place for them. |
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Throughout Latin America, indigenous people’s issues have continually been ignored or placed at the bottom of social priorities. Yet, as Andrea states, “we [Mapuche people] interact with nature everyday, hence our culture has priceless knowledge of medicinal herbs and other non-mainstream natural resources.”
Andrea belongs to a Mapuche youth organization named Willi Kurrof, which stands for Winds from the South. Based in Viña del Mar, near Valparaiso, Willi Kurrof focuses on maintaining Mapuche culture and educating others about it. This traditional Mapuche hut, called Relmu, is used to host cultural events in Viña del Mar. Photo courtesy of Andrea Alvarez. |
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While onboard, Andrea led a workshop on Mapuche culture which included dances and the use of traditional instruments. Pictured here are participants partaking in the holy Amu Purrum dance during the onboard workshop. Such event evokes deities in order to welcome the Mapuche new year or for special events, such as harvests. While in Valparaiso, Chile, a group of Peace Boat participants joined a cultural exchange with members of Willi Kurrof in Viña del Mar. |
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Regarding the effects of globalization, Andrea acknowledges “it is difficult to find a balance between keeping traditions and progress, or modernity.” However, she definitely sees advantages in protecting and sharing her culture and learning from others.
Pictured wearing a traditional Japanese Yukata robe, Andrea enthusiastically reflects on her Peace Boat experience: “In addition to sharing with [Peace Boat participants] the Mapuche culture, I am also enriching myself with the experiences aboard the ship these past few days.” |
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