Picunche
Quick Summary
The Picunche were an Indigenous group in central Chile. They were one of three distinct Araucanian populations identified by the Spanish, alongside the Mapuche and Huilliche. The Picunche lived north of the Biobío River and had been influenced by the Inca Empire before the Spanish arrival.1
When the Spanish arrived around 1536, the Picunche offered little resistance due to their experience with outside rule. They were utilized for labor in gold mines and on farms, and for building and services in colonial settlements. By the end of the 17th century, the Picunche were assimilated into Spanish society and became part of the peasant population. The Picunche also had their own language.213
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- Araucanian wars
…three groups: the Mapuche, the Picunche, and the Huilliche. They spoke the same language and federated for military purposes but otherwise had little political and cultural unity. The Araucanians seem to have been somewhat influenced by the pre-Inca peoples and the Inca; the latter were unable to subdue them.
Read More…three groups: the Mapuche, the Picunche, and the Huilliche. They spoke the same language and federated for military purposes but otherwise had little political and cultural unity. The Araucanians seem to have been somewhat influenced by the pre-Inca peoples and the Inca; the latter were unable to subdue them.
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South American IndianChileThey had brought the Picunche under their control with relative ease by 1544 and used them to placer mine gold in the rivers, perform agricultural labour on settlers’ farms, and build and provide services in colonial towns, cities, and military outposts.
Read MoreThey had brought the Picunche under their control with relative ease by 1544 and used them to placer mine gold in the rivers, perform agricultural labour on settlers’ farms, and build and provide services in colonial towns, cities, and military outposts.
Read More