The Garland Handbook of Latin American Music Part Three: Nations and Musical Traditions, South America, Mapuche

Overview  Mapuche Several heterogeneous Amerindian communities in Chile and Western Argentina Several heterogeneous Amerindian communities in Chile and Western Argentina United through language, trade, and war (Incan and Spanish incursions)United through language, trade, and war (Incan and Spanish incursions) Cosmology and ritual practices a result of centuries of inter-cultural contactCosmology and ritual practices a result of centuries of inter-cultural contact Contemporary social structure reflects continuing legacy and experience of EncounterContemporary social structure reflects continuing legacy and experience of Encounter

Musical Instruments  Pre-Colombian Mapuche Instruments Similar to those of other Amerindian communities throughout Lat/Am in type, construction, and function Similar to those of other Amerindian communities throughout Lat/Am in type, construction, and function Stone, wood, clay, cane, and bone flutes and panpipes (i.e., the pitucahue and pifülka)Stone, wood, clay, cane, and bone flutes and panpipes (i.e., the pitucahue and pifülka) Trumpets made of conch shells or horns (i.e., the trutruka)Trumpets made of conch shells or horns (i.e., the trutruka) Rattles, rasps, and other idiophonesRattles, rasps, and other idiophones Constructed from available natural resources Constructed from available natural resources Reflect connection with Mapuche cosmology (i.e., the Kultrún) Reflect connection with Mapuche cosmology (i.e., the Kultrún)

Contexts and Genres  Vocal genres Tayil Tayil Linked with Mapuche beliefs concerning the soul and ancestorsLinked with Mapuche beliefs concerning the soul and ancestors Exclusive domain of womanExclusive domain of woman Associated with life-giving power of women Associated with life-giving power of women Central to Mapuche process of ritual and healingCentral to Mapuche process of ritual and healing Means of bridging past and present, enabling communication with ancestors Means of bridging past and present, enabling communication with ancestors Consists of four melodic phrasesConsists of four melodic phrases Unique to particular lineage invoked Unique to particular lineage invoked Distinguished by specific melodic contours and coded syllablesDistinguished by specific melodic contours and coded syllables Each phrase performs specific function Each phrase performs specific function Corresponds to particular sphere of time and placeCorresponds to particular sphere of time and place Other genres Other genres Generally associated with danceGenerally associated with dance Reflect influence of European and mestizo cultureReflect influence of European and mestizo culture Often performed in ritual contextsOften performed in ritual contexts Include: öl, romancero, kantúnInclude: öl, romancero, kantún

Music and Healing  Mapuche beliefs and music Carol Robertson notes that Mapuche healing rituals involving music developed within a conceptual framework that “perceives sound as central to the movement and balance of the universe, the community, and the individual” (p. 412) Carol Robertson notes that Mapuche healing rituals involving music developed within a conceptual framework that “perceives sound as central to the movement and balance of the universe, the community, and the individual” (p. 412) Consider this statement in relation to the musical traditions of other Amerindian communities discussed in this book (i.e., the Kuna, Tarahumara, Warao, Q’eros, etc.) Consider this statement in relation to the musical traditions of other Amerindian communities discussed in this book (i.e., the Kuna, Tarahumara, Warao, Q’eros, etc.) Questions for discussion: Questions for discussion: What role does music play in healing rituals observed among the Mapuche and other Amerindian groups?What role does music play in healing rituals observed among the Mapuche and other Amerindian groups? How might the use of tayil constitute a form of healing?How might the use of tayil constitute a form of healing? How might the Mapuche tayil be significant in the context of post-Encounter Latin America?How might the Mapuche tayil be significant in the context of post-Encounter Latin America? How might the tayil relate to other traditions in Latin America (Amerindian or otherwise) that come to represent/express a particular group identity?How might the tayil relate to other traditions in Latin America (Amerindian or otherwise) that come to represent/express a particular group identity?