Rural Tourism & Ethnotourism

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Rural Tourism & Ethnotourism

Ethnotourism

Mapuche people

Bariloche is a very cosmopolitan city in which different cultures co-exist, enriching the local identity.

The Mapuche people are the largest ethnic group in Patagonia, its name meaning People of the Land (Che = People - Mapu = of the land)

Mapuche Communities (LOFCHES)

There are several Mapuche Communities close to Bariloche, most of them rural.
Each community is a Lofche, with its own authority and autonomous from each other, organized in a fragmentary system stood for the autonomy of their clans and of their social units. The authority is called Kume Feleal, whose chief is the LONKO. The WERKEN (messenger) plays an important role in the community as a messenger between the community and the other people.

It is possible to visit these LOFCHES, previous communication with the WERKEN of each community to confirm the visit, except for those which offer some kind of service and are open to the public in general.

The visits, intercultural lectures, kurantos (typical food) or other activities are the means of economic support. Don’t forget to inquire about the rates before visiting.

The Secretary of Tourism of Bariloche together with the Mapuche Communities, have made a very interesting guide with current information about the communities that are open to the tourist, which are:

    Lof Trypayantu (Lof: Territory) Community Gualmes,
    Lof Ranquehue: Communityd Ranquehue
    Lof Wiritray (Camping Agreste Relmu Lafken)
    Lof Kinxikew
    Lof Las Huaytekas
    Lof Huenchupan
    Lof Painefil
    Lof Cañumil: 1º a Intercultural Bilingual Schoolüe (Spanish-Mapuche).
    Lof Fvta Anekon
    Lof Kume Peuke Mapuche
    Lof Mariano Solo

For further information: secturismomscb@bariloche.gov.ar or ask for the informative brochure about the Mapuche People at the Secretary of Turism.