The Mapuche People: Cultural Beliefs Related to Consciousness, Mind, and Body

Mapuche thinking (rakizuam) is a form of reflexivity that recognizes the interdependence of people with natural and spiritual entities, representing a relational ontology distinct from individualistic Western approaches. The mind-body distinction is not central in Mapuche culture, but these dimensions can be explored through life-cycle processes such as socialization, illness, and death. The paper draws on cultural psychology and Indigenous psychology to address the interplay between culture and the human psyche.

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Abstract

The Mapuche people are a native group from the extreme south of Latin America. Their culture is based on the interconnectedness between the cohabitants of the environment, including human and non-human categories of life. The closest concept to consciousness for them would be Mapuche rakizuamor Mapuche thinking, which is defined as a particular kind of reflexivity or state of awareness of the interdependence of people with natural and spiritual entities. This understanding of the human condition represents a relational ontology, which cannot be translated to the predominating individualistic approach. Although the mind–body distinction is not a central point within Mapuche culture, these dimensions can be explored through crucial processes of the life cycle such as socialization, illness, and death. Contributions from cultural psychology and Indigenous psychology are taken into account regarding the challenge to address the interplay between culture and the human psyche more appropriately.