“Pero que el camaruco no lo dejen de hacer, pase lo que pase”. Tensiones y (meta)reflexiones sobre las rogativas mapuche

Abstract

This paper analyzes tensions and disputes about a religious/sacred Mapuche practice, performed as a ritual ceremony. It particularly focuses on the relevance given to the “camaruco” or “nguillatum”—according to how local people call it. Fieldwork was done in two Mapuche communities, one located in the province of Neuquén and the other in the province of Chubut. The aim is not to describe the practice itself, but to focus on the (meta)reflective dimension, following the pondering made by people before, during and after the ceremony. Thus, two axes of analysis are presented in a paradoxical mode: the first focused on the practice of evaluating and critically linking to the event, where the native category "respect" indicates how it must be performed and how it was done before. In the second axis, the ceremony is connected with transmissions, continuity and the threat of loss. Although it is not done as before and there is a risk to stop its performance, it further reinforces the sense of belonging and the importance of continuing with the ceremony.

Keywords

• Mapuche “rogativa”
• (meta)reflections
• transmission
• Argentine Patagonia