By Sonya Ellingboe
Posted Saturday, July 7, 2012 11:18 am; Updated: 11:23 am, Sat Jul 7, 2012.
Items borrowed from the collection of David Irving are displayed in a series of cases at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St. Photo by Courtney KuhlenThe Mapuche of Chile and Argentina are the only native culture of the Americas who were never defeated by the Spanish conquistadors through 300 years of military conflicts, according to a gallery guide available for use with the Littleton Museum’s new exhibit: “Mapuche: The People of the Land” which runs through Jan. 13.
The exhibit is intended to introduce these people to a new audience.
They also resisted an invasion by the Incas a century before the Spanish arrived. It is thought that their custom of living in scattered family groups, rather than congregating in cities, made them a difficult target – spread out in their huge land holdings.
Items borrowed from the collection of David Irving are displayed in a series of beautifully arranged cases, including a vignette with a costumed man and two women, wearing the woven garments, silver jewelry and beadwork.
Also exhibited: weaving, fine silversmithing, pottery, weapons, equestrian gear and a remarkable vessel made from a cow’s udder.
Irving developed an interest in textiles as a student of Dr. Joe Ben Wheat at the University of Colorado and Kate Peck Kent of the University of Denver, going on to a degree in anthropology from DU and a degree in sculpture from the Institute de Allende, San Miguel De Allende, Mexico. He was involved with the museum staff in exhibit installation.
As one enters the gallery, a group of photos of the Mapuche and maps showing the extent of their holdings give a frame of reference for the visitor. Next is information on weaving and a large selection of colorful ponchos, saddle blankets and other items.
The man’s poncho was a particular source of pride and each woven piece is filled with symbolism. Mapuche clothing consisted of different squares of cloth. Women put two large rectangles together (the kepam), dyed indigo black and bound at the waist with a woven sash.
This served as a background for silver necklaces, beaded breastplates, earrings, shawl with a special silver pin (tupu), bracelets, anklets, headbands and more.
After the Spanish arrived, the Mapuche became accomplished horsemen, with stolen animals and domesticated wild ones. They controlled an area from coast to coast in south-central Chile and northern Argentina that was twice the size of Texas.
A colorful poster shows them as entertainment, in something akin to Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show in Paris in the 19th century. Here and in other exhibit items they are called Auroucanians.
Today, Mapuche descendants are trying hard to preserve the culture and language. There are about 1 million in Chile and around 100,000 in Argentina.
The governments are beginning to recognize them as a tourism magnet, which will probably help.
On the walls are historic photographs, maps, posters and a copy of a poem, “Blue Dream,” by Elicura Chihuaieaf in Spanish, the native language and English. Based on childhood memories, it offers a sense of place. Allow a few minutes to read through it.
If you go:
“Mapuche: The People of the Land” runs through Jan. 13 at the Littleton Museum, 6028 S. Gallup St., Littleton. Hours: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays; 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays. Admission free. Call 303-795-3950. (Also on display is a collection of children’s book illustrations, circulated by the Society of Illustrators, through Aug. 12.)
Source: Littleton Independent