Mapuche Medicine in La Plata & CABA
- Amidst a regional health crisis, discussions on structural racism, and the rise of certain political ideologies, traditional Mapuche medicine is emerging as a relevant approach to holistic collective...
- two meetings are scheduled for May 27 and 28 to foster dialogue between Mapuche medicine and the right to health.
- Across Latin America, traditional medicines are regularly used by over 30% of the rural population.According to the Pan American Health Institution (PAHO), this figure reaches 40% in Bolivia.In...
Mapuche Medicine in Dialog with Modern Medical Models
Table of Contents
- Mapuche Medicine in Dialog with Modern Medical Models
- Mapuche Medicine in Dialog with Modern Medical Models: Bridging Tradition and Healthcare
Amidst a regional health crisis, discussions on structural racism, and the rise of certain political ideologies, traditional Mapuche medicine is emerging as a relevant approach to holistic collective health, rooted in territorial and cultural understanding.
Meetings to Bridge Medical Pluralism
two meetings are scheduled for May 27 and 28 to foster dialogue between Mapuche medicine and the right to health. The aim is to build bridges that acknowledge medical pluralism. Machi Cristóbal Tremigual lemuy,a traditional Mapuche spiritual and medical authority from Wallmapu,will be a key participant,along with experts in intercultural health,anthropology,and indigenous policies.
Traditional Medicine in Latin America
Across Latin America, traditional medicines are regularly used by over 30% of the rural population.According to the Pan American Health Institution (PAHO), this figure reaches 40% in Bolivia.In Peru, it exceeds 35% in indigenous regions.While facing less official recognition, Chile and Argentina maintain this ancestral practice within rural and native communities, such as Lawntuwün Mapuche.
Promoting Intercultural Dialogue
The upcoming events seek to promote knowledge exchange and recognize the need for culturally and linguistically relevant healthcare. The goal is to develop public health strategies with an intercultural approach, grounded in respect, autonomy, and territorial-medical knowledge.
Event Details
Day 1: Machi Dispossession and Recognition Policies
A discussion on Machi dispossession and recognition policies from an anthropological viewpoint will be held at the Faculty of Beliefs and Letters – UBA on Tuesday, May 27, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Paco Urondo University Cultural Center in CABA.The event is organized by the Institute of Anthropological Sciences (UBA), the Epu Lafken Community, and the Network of Studies on Genocide and Indigenous Policies. Dra. Lennon will present.
Day 2: Provincial Congress of General Medicine
The PRE Provincial Congress of General Medicine, titled “Heal with the Territory: Mapuche medicine in dialogue with modern medical models,” will take place at Institution Union – La Plata on Wednesday, May 28, from 6:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m. The event will be hybrid, with virtual access limited to medical personnel from AMGBA.It is organized by AMGBA (Association of general Medicine Province of Buenos Aires), the Mapuche Epu Lafken Community, Los Toldos, and the UNLP Community Health Chair. Dr. Diego Torino will present.
Key Participants
- Cristóbal Tremigual Lemuy: A traditional Mapuche spiritual and medical authority (Machi). As the age of 14, he dedicated himself to healing, undergoing planning and consecration at 18. For 12 years, he has traveled throughout Mapuche territory, providing care and technical assistance to integrate Lawentuwün (Traditional Mapuche Medicine) into Argentina’s public health system. he was born in San Juan de la Costa, Los Lagos Region, Chile.
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Verónica Azpiroz Cleñan: A Mapuche woman from the Epu Lafken Community (Los Toldos, Buenos Aires), is a political scientist with a master’s degree in intercultural health and a doctoral candidate in collective health at the National University of Lanús. She is a Conicet fellow and a member of an indigenous professionals’ organization. She co-authored “Autonomy and Self-Government in Diverse America,” analyzing the autonomous processes of the mapuche people in Argentina, and contributed to “Contributions to the Debate of the Reform of the Health System in Argentina,” published bilingually (Mapuzungun-Castellano). She has also produced bilingual materials on the right to IVE/ILE (Law 27,160) and multilingual resources for childbirth care in Salta and Formosa.Currently, she teaches collective health and human rights for medical residents at the health Government School of the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires.
Mapuche Medicine in Dialog with Modern Medical Models: Bridging Tradition and Healthcare
What is Mapuche Medicine?
Mapuche medicine, also known as Lawentuwün, is a traditional healing system rooted in the cultural and territorial understanding of the Mapuche people. It is indeed emerging as a relevant approach to holistic collective health, especially in the context of regional health crises, discussions about structural racism, and emerging political ideologies.
Why is Mapuche Medicine gaining attention now?
The rising interest in Mapuche medicine reflects a larger movement towards recognizing the importance of culturally relevant healthcare. The provided text highlights that it addresses a need for holistic health, considering not just physical ailments but also cultural and territorial aspects. This is particularly crucial in light of existing health crises and discussions around discrimination.
What are the meetings about?
Two meetings are scheduled to foster dialogue between Mapuche medicine and the right to health. The aim is to build bridges that acknowledge medical pluralism. These events aim to promote knowledge exchange and recognize the need for culturally and linguistically relevant healthcare.
who is participating in these dialogues?
Key participants include:
- Machi Cristóbal Tremigual Lemuy: A traditional Mapuche spiritual and medical authority from Wallmapu.
- Experts in intercultural health, anthropology, and indigenous policies.
- Verónica Azpiroz Cleñan: A Mapuche woman and political scientist, also from the Epu Lafken Community, with expertise in intercultural health
Where are these meetings taking place, and when?
The meetings will be held on May 27th and 28th. Specific event details include:
Day 1: Machi Dispossession and Recognition Policies
- Date and Time: Tuesday, May 27, from 6:00 p.m.to 8:00 p.m.
- Location: Paco Urondo University Cultural Center in CABA (Buenos Aires).
- Focus: Discussion on Machi dispossession and recognition policies from an anthropological viewpoint.
- Organizers: Institute of Anthropological Sciences (UBA), the Epu Lafken Community, and the Network of Studies on Genocide and Indigenous Policies.
- Presenter: Dra.Lennon
Day 2: Provincial Congress of General Medicine
- Date and Time: Wednesday, May 28, from 6:00 p.m.to 9:00 p.m.
- Location: Institution Union – La Plata.
- Focus: “Heal with the Territory: Mapuche medicine in dialogue with modern medical models”.The event will be hybrid,with virtual access limited to medical personnel from AMGBA.
- Organizers: AMGBA (Association of General Medicine Province of Buenos Aires), the Mapuche Epu Lafken Community, Los Toldos, and the UNLP Community Health Chair
- Presenter: Dr. Diego Torino
How does Mapuche medicine compare to modern medical practices in Latin america?
Traditional medicine is widely used in Latin America. It is worth noting the following examples from available information:
Across Latin America,traditional medicines are regularly used by over 30% of the rural population.
* Bolivia: Reaches 40%
* Peru: Exceeds 35%