Mapuche/Lafkenche Cultural identity influence on alcohol consume regulation: mapuche/lafkenche traditional authorities’ perspective from coast territory in Araucanía, IX Region

Abstract

Araucania region has the highest rates of alcoholism in comparison to the rest of the country, being the commune of Carahue and Puerto Saavedra those with the highest rates of alcoholism and lafkenche regional rural Mapuche population. In a comprehensive approach, this study wanted to describe the influence of lafkenche Mapuche cultural identity in the regulation of alcohol consumption according traditional Mapuche lafkenche authorities of the coastal area of the IX Araucania region. For this individual focused interviews three Mapuche traditional authorities of the Mapuche lafkenche area were interviewed.

There are recognized three discursive axes that respond to the objective of the study, the first is "the Mapuche identity in tension", recognizing it as a regulator of problem drinking, but stressed by a number of factors. A second axis pointing to "excessive drinking as a cultural disrupter", identifying three modes of consumption, where alcohol dependency would be a state that disconnects the person of their own culture and generates conflicting conditions for the family and the community. Finally "Western culture as a threat" arises because it through various mechanisms of domination, including alcohol account, have led to the cultural conditions favoring weakening dependence from the phenomenon of alcoholization. Identified the regulatory potential of Mapuche cultural identity, but also the threat it faces, the need for sustained efforts to support the strengthening of the Mapuche cultural identity.