Some of these Indians own large tracts of land, portions of which
they cultivate, and upon which they raise large numbers of cattle and
horses. The methods employed in farming are crude and primitive. The
rich landowners are personages of note in the section of country where
they live. And when one of them starts on a trip from his ranch, always
on horseback, he is adorned with much silver in the way of ornaments.
He is usually accompanied by five or six “mocetones” (servants), and
travels in grand style.
Having few wants these Indians work only when it is necessary to supply
their needs. Missionaries have tried in recent years to improve their
moral condition, but have made little progress. The Araucanian ideas
of a serious life are not deep-rooted; there is more stubbornness
than intellect in their composition. The Incas who were the first
foreign nation to invade Chile, taught them to worship the sun, but
in their present degenerate condition they seem to worship only the
God Bacchus. Strong drink and its attendant abuses, the curse of all
barbarous races, when once introduced by civilized nations, is causing
degeneration and a decrease in numbers. It will no doubt continue to
aid materially in the consummation of their final extinction.
In 1890, during the administration of President Balmaceda, rail and
wagon roads were built through the Araucanian country, and many towns,
populated by Chilenos and foreigners sprung up along these routes
of communication. Special European immigration was solicited and
encouraged by government aid, for the settlement of portions of the
territory. Foreign association and influence, changed conditions and
environments affected radical changes in the character, customs, habits
and beliefs of the Indians. They were brought face to face with the
on-marching hosts of civilization, and confronted with the problem
of accepting and adapting themselves to the new order of things, or
extinction. The ultimate result will be the latter.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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