El día 6 fue el día los Mapuches. Nos sumergimos en el aprendizaje de ciertas características de esta cultura nativa de Argentina, que pasó a Chile desde Neuquen.
Day 6 was Mapuche Day. We immersed ourselves in learning about the ancient Mapuche peoples who were native to Argentina and crossed to Chile from Neuquen.
Nuevamente Andrés nos sirvió de guía durante todo el día. Fuimos en mi auto y él manejó. Durante una hora pasamos por lugares importantes. Se nos unieron Rodrigo,Carmen y sus hijos Emi( 14), Sofía (5)Rodrigo(4) y Antonio (3), en su auto. Fue un agrado que fueran los niños ya que estaban tan entusiasmados con todas las experiencias de esta cultura Mapuche, muchas veces bailando,cantando y tocando instrumentos.
Again Andrés served as our guide throughout the entire day. He drove us in my car an hour north to several important sites. We were also joined by Rodrigo, his wife, Carmen, and the children Emi (14), Sofía (5), Rodrigo (4), and Antonio (3). They were a delight to have along on this journey as they experienced the Mapuche culture with such excitement—often dancing, singing and playing instruments.
Primero visitamos el Fuerte Tucapel.
Ubicado en el sector noroeste, dentro de la ciudad de Cañete y fundado por Pedro de Valdivia en 1552. Su valor histórico radica en que este emplazamiento militar español fue testigo de las disputas que se llevaron a cabo entre Araucanos y Españoles. Fue reconstruido varias veces ante los continuos ataques indígenas, que generalmente terminaban con la destrucción completa del fuerte. En la batalla de Tucapel, el toqui Lautaro hace prisionero al conquistador, quien fue ejecutado por el cacique Leucotón a fines de diciembre de 1553.
First, we visited the historical fort of Fuerte Tucapel.
It is located to the northeast, inside the city of Cañete and was founded by Pedro de Valdivia in 1553. It's historical value is due to the fact that it was witness to the disputes among the Araucano natives and the Spaniards. It was reconstructed many times because of the continued attacks by the natives, which generally ended with the complete destruction of the fort. In the Battle of Tucapel, the toqui ( native chief ) Lautaro ends up holding the conqueror prisoner. He was executed by the warrior Leucoton , at the end of December 1553.
The laughter yoga leaders doing a happy kick dance.
Large tree that had a cave like opening at the bottom.
ARAUCARIAS
This one is too. It is the special way they draw the native trees, which are called
ARAUCARIAS.
Después fuimos a casa de un Sr. Mapuche que fabrica y toca instrumentos musicales tradicionales. Tiene un pequeño museo privado en su casa. Nos explicó el simbolismo de cada uno de ellos y los tocó para nosotros. Los niños estaban ansiosos por tenerlos en sus manos y tocarlos, aunque no supieran hacerlo.
Next we went to the home of a Mapuche Indian who builds and plays traditional Mapuche instruments and holds a small private museum. He explained the significance and symbolism of each instrument and played it for us. The children were eager to get their hands on the instruments too, even though they did't know how to play them.
Trying on a Mapuche necklace ( Topel Nugtroe or Traripe)
Emi tried on the Mapuche headress ( trarilonko ) made of coins and ribbons.
De ahí fuimos al Valle Elikura, donde está Ruca Lelbun, un lugar donde vive una familia mapuche y que fue creado por la Corfo como una especie de museo interactivo para preservar y enseñar las costumbres nativas, tan unidas a la tierra. Ahí pudimos ver cómo eran las rucas y convivir por un rato con una familia mapuche, incluyendo al Lonco y a su hijo.
After that stop, we went to an interactive outdoor museum The Ruca Lelbun which enabled us to go inside the traditional Mapuche homes out of straw. Our guides were Mapuche people, including the chief of the area tribe and his son. They are passionate about teaching and preserving the Mapuche way of life that is deeply connected to the earth.
We had lunch with them.
This is the house they live in now.
They played instruments for us around the fire and told us more about their customs.
Next we went for tea to a German restaurant in Contulmo, owned by another friend of Andres’ .
Cuando entramos, encontré mi estrella de Hollywood en el piso.
On the way in, I found my Hollywood star on the sidewalk.
Como eramos los únicos allí los convencimos de hacer una sesión corta de Yoga de la Risa con nosotros.
Since we were the only ones there, we talked them into doing a short laughter yoga session with us.
Back at the hotel we checked out the selection of wines.
Alejandra and Laura were still kicking after a busy day of touring.
They even made vegetarian spinach balls for us, as the Gentry's are vegetarian.
Andrés stood up from the chair and banged heads with his cousin's wife.