Indigenous Nomadic Cultures of Patagonia and the Andes

1. Tehuelches

Located in Patagonia, from the Straits of Magellan to Reloncaví.

• Politics and Society: Nomadic bands led by a chief. They were considered owners of their territory and practiced polygamy openly.
• Housing: Tolderías (stakes covered with animal skins, in groups of approximately 10). Skins were carried when moving.
• Economy: Hunting guanacos, rheas, and geese (Caiquén). They used bolas, bows, and arrows. Their diet included eggs, meat, and vegetables (calafate).
• Religion: Believed in a supreme being distant from daily life and an evil spirit that caused disease and hunting shortages. The dead were buried in caves or hills, covered with stones.

2. Ona or Selk'nam

Located in the Chilean side of Tierra del Fuego.

• Dress: Leather skins worn with the fur facing both inward and outward.
• Politics and Social Life: Organized in bands; monogamy was practiced without strict obligation.
• Economy: Hunters using large bows and arrows. They wore caps made of animal skin. They hunted guanacos, rheas, caiquenes, and foxes.
• Fishing: Involved women stolen from the Yagán people.
• Religion: The Klóketen or Hain initiation ceremony was for men only, where they painted their naked bodies to represent spirits and dominate women. They believed in the immortality of the soul and a god. Shamans communicated with the dead. The deceased were wrapped in skins and covered with stones.
• Housing: Circular structures.

Andean Nomads

1. Chiquillanes

Located from Santiago to Chillán. They traded salt obtained in the mountain range. Their housing and clothing were made of guanaco skin.

2. Pehuenches

Located in the VIII Region to Chillán. They lived in guanaco-skin houses and harvested the fruit of the Araucaria (the Pehuén), which they consumed as flour, baked, or roasted. They climbed trees using swaying ropes.

3. Puelches

Located from Los Ángeles to Osorno. They believed in a good and a bad deity, to whom they offered animal sacrifices. They buried their dead in a squatting position in caves, surrounded by personal items for the afterlife.

4. Cuncos

Located near Lake Nahuelhuapi and Argentine river areas. They used bottles made from animal bladders as floats to cross rivers. As a sign of mourning, they practiced self-laceration and polyandry.