Language of the Land - The Mapuche in Argentina and Chile - By Leslie Ray. This is the first book in English to examine the contemporary Mapuche: their culture, their struggle for autonomy within the modern-day nationstate, their religion, language and distinct identity.... 8 de agosto de 2007
New IWGIA book
Published Tuesday 3 July 2007
Language of the Land - The Mapuche in Argentina and Chile - By Leslie Ray.
This is the first book in English to examine the contemporary Mapuche: their culture, their struggle for autonomy within the modern-day nationstate, their religion, language and distinct identity. Leslie Ray looksback over the history of relations between the Mapuche and the Argentine and Chilean states, and examines issues of ethnicity, biodiversity and bio-piracy in Mapuche lands today, their struggle for rights over natural resources, and the impact of tourism and neoliberalism. The Mapuche of what is today southern Chile and Argentina were the first and only indigenous peoples on the continent to have their sovereignty legally recognised by the Spanish empire, and their reputation for ferocity and bravery was legendary among the Spanish invaders.
Their sense of communal identity and personal courage has forged among the
Mapuche a strong instinct for self-preservation over the centuries. Today their
struggle continues: neither Chile nor Argentina specifically recognise the
rights of indigenous peoples. In recent years disputes over land rights, particularly
in Chile, have provoked fierce protests from the Mapuche. In both countries,
policies of assimilation have had a disastrous effect on the Mapuche language
and cultural integrity. Even so, in recent years the Mapuche have managed a
remarkable cultural and political resurgence, inpart through a tenacious defence
of their ancestral lands and natural resources against marauding multinationals
which has catapulted them to regional and international attention.
US$ 18.00 + postage
292 pages
ISBN 9788791563379
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