Machi (shaman)

A Machi is a traditional healer and religious leader in Mapuche culture of Chile and Argentina. The role is often filled by women, although male Machi (Machi Weye) also exist. The Machi serves as an intermediary between the human world and the spirit world, particularly the ngen (spirits) and Wenu Mapu (the upper world).

Roles and Responsibilities:

The primary responsibilities of a Machi include:

• Healing: Diagnosing and treating illnesses using traditional herbal remedies, rituals, and spiritual intervention. This often involves identifying the cause of the illness, which may be attributed to spiritual imbalances, malevolent spirits, or witchcraft.
• Divination: Communicating with the spirit world to predict future events, locate lost objects, or gain insight into the cause of problems.
• Religious Leadership: Leading ceremonies and rituals, such as the Ngillatun (a communal prayer ceremony) and other important events in the community.
• Counseling: Providing guidance and support to individuals and families facing personal or spiritual challenges.
• Maintaining Cultural Knowledge: Preserving and transmitting traditional Mapuche knowledge, beliefs, and practices.

Training and Initiation:

Becoming a Machi is a complex and lengthy process that often involves a period of apprenticeship under the guidance of an experienced Machi. This training includes learning about medicinal plants, rituals, divination techniques, and the Mapuche worldview. A prospective Machi may also undergo a spiritual illness or crisis that is interpreted as a calling from the spirits. The initiation ceremony marks the formal acceptance of the individual into the role of Machi.

Tools and Symbols:

Machi utilize a variety of tools and symbols in their practice, including:

• Kultrún: A sacred drum used for communication with the spirits and for healing ceremonies.
• Chamal: A ceremonial poncho worn during rituals.
• Medicinal herbs: Used for healing and spiritual purposes.
• Sacred stones and objects: Used as symbols of spiritual power and connection.

Contemporary Context:

The role of the Machi continues to be important in contemporary Mapuche society, although it has been influenced by factors such as globalization, modernization, and the encroachment of outside cultures. Machi are increasingly involved in advocating for Mapuche rights and cultural preservation. They also face challenges related to the loss of traditional knowledge, environmental degradation, and discrimination.