“La Machi” is the title given to the traditional curanderas
(Shaman, healer) of the Mapuche (indigenous people of Southern
Chile).
Prior to the Spanish conquest, La Machi was revered and honored
as the only leader in their society, with whom they would consult
issues of health or discord amongst their tribe. This is a matriarchal
culture and only women were allowed to perform this role.
“Lonkos”, male figures took over under circumstances during the
conquest, however, to this day Machis continue to hold their
powerful role of elders and consultants of wellbeing as advisors
and oracles, and they are deeply respected for their power and
great wisdom.
La Machi would enter intro a trance induced by the sound of her
drum in which she would summon the ancestral spirits and bring
back an answer. This ritual could take place during the course of
several days, and the shaman would collapse on the ground in a
state that would require the assistant or an interpreter, to convey
the message (the “machife thuñuñe”, her life-time-companion)
These elders posses a vast knowledge of healing herbs and
concoctions for curing ailments of the physical and spiritual body.
This painting depicts La Machi drumming her “Kultrun”) as she
sits in front of her “Rehue” (a ritual ladder containing steps into higher levels of awareness).