Introduction
Language is more than just a method of communication; it is a reflection of culture, history, and identity. For the Mapuche, the largest indigenous group in Chile, their language, Mapudungun, represents the core of their existence, a vital connection to their past, and a means to preserve their culture. Yet, like many indigenous languages worldwide, Mapudungun is facing extinction. A 2016 United Nations report warned that if this language dies, the Mapuche people stand to lose more than just words; they will lose their cultural soul. Today, their struggle continues, with the stakes higher than ever.
A Legacy of Struggle: Historical Context of the Mapuche
The Mapuche people, whose name means “people of the land,” have lived in the southern regions of Chile and Argentina for centuries. They are one of the few indigenous groups in South America who successfully resisted Spanish colonization for over 300 years, maintaining their autonomy through a series of treaties and battles. However, the late 19th century brought renewed efforts by the Chilean government to assimilate and control the Mapuche population, culminating in the forced annexation of their land during the so-called “Pacification of Araucanía” between 1861 and 1883.
This campaign was devastating for the Mapuche, resulting in the loss of vast amounts of land, displacement, and cultural suppression. The Mapudungun language, once widely spoken across a vast territory, began to suffer as indigenous communities were pushed into smaller, more isolated areas and exposed to the dominant Spanish-speaking culture. Over the decades, the Chilean government implemented policies aimed at assimilating the Mapuche people into mainstream Chilean society, which further eroded their language and traditional practices.
By the mid-20th century, many Mapuche had migrated to urban areas in search of better economic opportunities, leaving behind their rural communities where Mapudungun was primarily spoken. The language, no longer transmitted across generations with the same vigor, began to fade as the influence of Spanish grew stronger.
Language at the Core of Mapuche Identity
For the Mapuche, language is not just a tool for communication but a spiritual connection to their ancestors, their land, and their traditions. Mapudungun carries within it the worldview of the Mapuche people, reflecting their relationship with nature, their social structures, and their collective memory. As the Mapuche scholar Elisa Loncón has stated, “The language is the soul of our culture. Without it, we cease to exist as Mapuche.”
In Mapudungun, words and expressions convey concepts deeply tied to the Mapuche cosmology. For example, the word “mapu” means both “land” and “world,” signifying the intimate relationship between the people and the environment they inhabit. The language embodies the Mapuche way of seeing the world, which emphasizes balance, reciprocity, and respect for nature. If Mapudungun disappears, the unique perspective it offers on life, nature, and the universe will also vanish.
Unfortunately, the language is now critically endangered. According to UNESCO, only about 200,000 people speak Mapudungun fluently, and the majority of them are elderly. The younger generations, particularly those raised in urban areas, are often disconnected from their linguistic heritage. This disconnection threatens not only the survival of the language but the cultural and spiritual continuity of the Mapuche people as a whole.
The United Nations Report: A Call to Action
In 2016, the UN released a report that painted a bleak picture for the Mapuche language. The report warned that without immediate action, Mapudungun could be lost within a generation. It emphasized that the loss of the language would mean more than just the disappearance of a linguistic system—it would signal the collapse of the cultural structures that have sustained the Mapuche for centuries.
The report urged the Chilean government and international organizations to support language revitalization efforts, arguing that preserving Mapudungun is essential for the preservation of Mapuche identity. The report highlighted several factors contributing to the decline of the language, including urbanization, discrimination, and a lack of institutional support for bilingual education. It also noted that despite the Mapuche’s historical resilience, the pressures of modern society were taking a toll on their ability to pass down their language and traditions to younger generations.
The Current Struggle: Revitalizing Mapudungun
In the years since the UN report, efforts to revitalize Mapudungun have gained momentum, both within Mapuche communities and among advocates of indigenous rights in Chile. Grassroots organizations, activists, and educators are working tirelessly to create spaces where the language can thrive once again.
One of the most significant developments has been the rise of bilingual education programs in schools located in Mapuche regions. These programs aim to teach both Spanish and Mapudungun, helping children reconnect with their linguistic heritage. However, these initiatives face numerous challenges, including limited funding, a shortage of qualified teachers fluent in Mapudungun, and resistance from some sectors of Chilean society that still view the promotion of indigenous languages as a threat to national unity.
In addition to formal education, Mapuche activists have turned to cultural and digital platforms to promote their language. Social media campaigns, podcasts, and online courses have emerged as tools to reach younger generations who are more likely to be fluent in Spanish than Mapudungun. Through these platforms, Mapuche youth are rediscovering their language and using it to express their identity in new and creative ways.
The arts have also become a powerful medium for language revitalization. Musicians, poets, and writers from Mapuche communities are increasingly incorporating Mapudungun into their work, bringing the language into popular culture. This creative renaissance is helping to shift perceptions of Mapudungun from a relic of the past to a living, evolving language that has a place in contemporary society.
Government Support: A Work in Progress
The Chilean government has taken some steps to support Mapudungun and other indigenous languages. In 1993, Chile ratified the Indigenous Law, which officially recognized the country’s indigenous peoples and their right to preserve and develop their cultures and languages. However, critics argue that the law has been insufficient in addressing the structural inequalities that continue to marginalize the Mapuche people.
In 2020, Chile passed a new law promoting the teaching of Mapudungun in public schools in regions with a significant Mapuche population. This was seen as a positive step, but its implementation has been slow, and many schools lack the resources to fully support bilingual education. Furthermore, the law does not address the broader social and economic factors that contribute to the decline of the language, such as poverty, land dispossession, and discrimination.
Land, Culture, and the Fight for Recognition
At the heart of the Mapuche struggle for language preservation is the broader fight for land and cultural recognition. The loss of ancestral land has not only affected the Mapuche’s economic well-being but also their ability to maintain their cultural practices, which are closely tied to the land. Many Mapuche view the revival of their language as inseparable from their fight to reclaim their land and assert their rights as an indigenous people.
In recent years, the Mapuche movement has gained international attention for its protests against government policies and corporations that exploit their lands for logging, agriculture, and mining. These protests are often met with violent repression, further fueling the sense of alienation and marginalization felt by the Mapuche people.
The Path Forward: A Broader Perspective
The fight to save Mapudungun is emblematic of a larger global struggle faced by indigenous communities around the world. According to the UN, there are approximately 6,000 languages spoken globally, and nearly half of them are at risk of disappearing within this century. Indigenous languages, in particular, are under threat due to the forces of globalization, urbanization, and cultural assimilation.
However, there is hope. Around the world, indigenous peoples are fighting to preserve their languages and cultures, often with innovative approaches that blend traditional knowledge with modern technology. The Mapuche, with their long history of resistance, are no exception. Their determination to keep their language alive is a testament to their resilience and their commitment to preserving their identity for future generations.
Conclusion
The survival of Mapudungun is not just about preserving a language—it is about safeguarding the soul of the Mapuche people. As long as there are speakers of Mapudungun, and as long as there are those willing to fight for its revival, the language will continue to live, carrying with it the wisdom, history, and spirit of the Mapuche people. The future of the Mapuche people depends on the survival of their language, and with continued resilience and determination, Mapudungun can thrive once again, ensuring the legacy of their culture lives on for generations to come.
