Weichafe

A weichafe is a Mapuche warrior.[1] Among Mapuche communities in Lumaco and Traiguén weichafes play an important role in nguillatun by ritualistically representing the weichan or combat of the winds prior to harvest.[1] The role of the weichafe is associated with the attributes of strength and austerity.[1] 17th century Jesuit missionary Diego de Rosales described weichafes as robust, agile and hardy.[1]

References

1. Alvarado P., Margarita (1996). "Weichafe: el guerrero mapuche. Caracterización y definición del rol del guerrero en la guerra de Arauco (1536-1656)". Revísta de Historia Indígena (in Spanish). 1. Universidad de Chile: 35–54.