Araucanian (culture or style)

Scope Note: Culture and style of the South American Indians that are now concentrated in the fertile valleys and basins of south-central Chile, from the Biobío River in the north to the Toltén River in the south. Although the pre-Columbian Araucanians did not themselves recognize political or cultural unity above the village level, the Spanish distinguished three Araucanian populations geographically: the Picunche living in the north between the Choapa and Biobío rivers, the Mapuche inhabiting the middle valleys, and the Huilliche dwelling in the south between the Toltén River and Chiloé Island. At the time of the Spanish arrival in Chile, most of central Chile was settled by scattered populations of Mapuche farmers who grew corn (maize), beans, squash, potatoes, and other vegetables.

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