Benefits of Mapuches culture

What sort of advantages could provide a minority community in our country? In

spite of the fact that Chile has had different indigenous communities through its
history, one of them has remained over time, this group is well known as the
Mapuche. They are an aboriginal population that lived in Chiles central zone.
Nowadays, according to CENSO 2012, there are 1,508,722 Mapuche in Chile who
still have their own way of living what allows us to have a cultural diversity.
Furthermore, we as a society might benefit from the Mapuches culture because it
provides us language, traditions and medicine.
Firstly, we can take advantages from Mapuches language because it extends and
enriches our society in terms of language itself. They have contributed in the
formation of our culture because they have provided some words that we include in
our everyday language. Furthermore, several words that we use come from their
language. For instance, words such as: chala, cahun, guagua and names of the
cities and places such as: Temuco, Aconcagua and Bio Bio were provided by
them. Therefore, our society can benefit from their language because they have
added important words to our language.
Secondly, Mapuches traditions might be beneficial for our society as far as culture
and economy are concerned. Since ancient times, Mapuche have manufactured
wonderful carpets, blankets among others and all of them have had an original
design. Nowadays, Mapuches work is not only recognized at national level but
also at international level because they are exporting their work to Europa what
implies recognition of our culture. In addition to this, we can benefit from their work
in economic terms.
Finally, Mapuches medicine is a natural alternative to treat illnesses. The
Mapulawen is Mapuche`s knowledge about treatments based on herbs. They know
how to use several herbs such as chamomile which is used to prevent spring
allergies and the cinnamon tree that is used to treat rheumatism and wounds
healing. This is a wonderful alternative for those people who suffer from stomach
problems; consequently, it has had great success. This recognition has allowed to
the Mapuche to create their own pharmacy chains: Makelawen. We can benefit
from this because medicine based on herbs is natural and it does not have
contraindications.

In conclusion, our society may benefit in terms of language, economy and
medicine from Mapuches culture. They have provided many important words like
names of places and also words that we have included in our everyday language.
In economy their crafts are being exported what allows us to have commercial ties
with other countries and also recognition from them. Another important aspect to
highlight is Mapuches natural medicine because it is a solution for people who
suffer from stomach problems. Finally, it is necessary to mention that we as a
society should take every aspect into account and give them the importance that
they deserve as an indigenous people.