| |
|---|---|
 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Chile | 30,369 (2017)[1] |
 Argentina | 13,936 (2010)[2] |
| Languages | |
| Spanish,Kunza | |
| Religion | |
| Christian,Incacult[citation needed] | |
TheAtacama people, also calledAtacameño, are an Indigenous people from theAtacama Desert andaltiplano region in the north ofChile andArgentina and southernBolivia, mainly theAntofagasta Region.
According to the Argentinean Census in 2010, 13,936 people identified as first-generation Atacameño inArgentina,[2] while Chile was home to 21,015 Atacameño people as of 2002.[3]
Other names includeKunza andLikanantaí.[a]
The origins of Atacameño culture can be traced back to 500 AD. TheTiwanaku people were the first known conquerors. At the start of the 15th century, the Atacameño were conquered by theIncan emperorTopa Inca Yupanqui, who introduced a new social order, the Inca sun cult and various customs includingcoca leaves. The Inca regime constructed roads from theSalar de Atacama to what is now northeast Argentina.[4]
In 1536, the first Spanish conquistadors, those ofDiego de Almagro, arrived in the area. It was annexed under Spanish control in 1557.[5] In the 18th century, the AtacameñoTomás Paniri joined the uprisings led by the PeruvianTúpac Amaru II and the BolivianTúpac Katari. In 1824, the region became part ofBolivia and in 1879 fell into Chilean hands. In 2007, the Atacameño population was estimated at 21,015 people.[4]
In2021,Ximena Anza was elected to serve as the representative of the Atacameño people for a reserved seat in theConstitutional Convention.[6]
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The Atacameños protected their villages with strong stone walls known aspukara, aQuechua word.[7] They also developed ceramic crafts, copper work (using copper extracted fromChuquicamata) and gold work. Many of the historic settlements still exist today with the same names, includingQuitor,Chiu-Chiu,Lasana,Turi,Topayín,Susques,Calama,Toconao,Antofagasta de la Sierra, and one of the most important settlements in the region,San Pedro de Atacama.
The original language of the Atacameños was the recently extinct language ofKunza.
In the small settlements aroundCordillera Domeyko andSalar de Atacama, both within the traditional lands of the Likan Antay, there are residents that speak Spanish withoutyeísmo which is otherwise a widespread feature ofChilean Spanish.[8]
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The Atacameño werelamini herders who made best use of the scarce water and sparse terrain by using their livestock -llama andalpaca - both as pack animals and for their meat, hide and wool.
Like many other Andean people, the Atacameño created aterraced agriculture to preventwater run-off. They grew various crops, including pumpkins, zucchini, chili, beans, tobacco, melon, corn, and, above all, potatoes and quinoa. They fertilized the crops withguano from seabirds, which they transported inland on llama. They also ate meat from their livestock and bought fish and shellfish from coastal peoples in return forch'arki, a dried, salted meat they produced.
The first period, between the years of 400 AD and 900 AD, saw the Atacameño produce pink glazed pottery, including anthropomorphic jugs, as well as golden jewelry and cups.
During the second period, between 900 AD and 1200 AD, black glaze pottery was used, showing the influence ofTiwanaku culture. Artifacts included tablets for inhaling hallucinogens from theHuilco tree andSan Pedro cactus, with carved images of human figurines,condors and religious objects.
In the third period, from 1200 AD to 1500 AD, shows the influence of the Inca civilization with the construction of stone “pukara” fortresses.
Smoking hallucinogenic substances was a central part of Atacameño religious culture. Smoking ceremonies were believed to bring humans closer to the gods, allowing the smoker to take on the power of birds, cats or snakes. Finely carved tablets were used to hold the drug, which was then inhaled using wooden or bone tubes. The Atacameños also adopted theIncasun cult and constructed altars in high places, especially onLicancabur volcano, which was considered sacred and the home of their many gods. They believed in life after death and buried their dead with all the necessary belongings they would need for the journey.
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San Pedro de Atacama was the Atacameños primary oasis settlement and the centre of their cultural development. Today, tourism is its main economic activity along with agriculture.
The R.P. Gustavo Le Paige Archeological Museum, located in San Pedro de Atacama, holds much of the historical and archeological remains of the Atacameño people. It was founded by theBelgianJesuit priest Gustavo Le Paige, who moved to San Pedro in 1955 and became fascinated with Atacameño culture. Over the years he collected a wide range of artifacts from ancient burial sites, workshops and settlements, housing them in the museum which bears his name, which he founded in 1963. The collection now containsmummies and more than 380,000 pieces of ceramics, textiles and metallic artifacts.
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Atacameño communities currently living in Argentina include:
Atacameño communities currently living in Chile include:
