The Influence of Christian Conversion in Mapuche Traditional Medicine in Temuco, Chile: Toward a Cultural Syncretism or a form of Ideological Assimilation?

The Mapuche communities living in the urban areas of Chile have undergone radical cultural changes due to Christian conversion. This article analyzes the influence of these changes on the Mapuche ideas and practices of the traditional healers (machi) and patients in Temuco (IX Region), Chile, and th...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Torri, Maria Costanza (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Springer Science + Business Media B. V. [2013]
In: Journal of religion and health
Year: 2013, Volume: 52, Issue: 4, Pages: 1228-1239
Further subjects:B Mapuche
B Traditional medicine
B Chile
B Conversion to Christianity
Online Access: Volltext (Resolving-System)
Description
Summary:The Mapuche communities living in the urban areas of Chile have undergone radical cultural changes due to Christian conversion. This article analyzes the influence of these changes on the Mapuche ideas and practices of the traditional healers (machi) and patients in Temuco (IX Region), Chile, and the changes and adaptations in the perceptions of healing practices and rituals by the patients. The paper shows how, despite some evident challenges, the encounter with the religion of Christianity can create a process of cultural and spiritual syncretism and push traditional medicine toward an increased specialization in the therapeutic practices.
ISSN:1573-6571
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal of religion and health
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1007/s10943-011-9561-x