Among other surprises, tourists will discover the fascinating beauty of the picoyo, the utterly unique variety of wood from the Araucaria Auracana, which is different from the other Araucaria species that grow in Brazil or Australia. It is used by the local artisans to create different kinds of objects, and can be found in the core part of the dead tree’s trunk. The tree that provides food through the piñon also gives a fossilised resin, called Chilean amber due to its colour and properties, which the plant takes around 500 years to create.
The Mapuche nation have been through pain, loss and suffering. The Spanish colonisers tried to enslave them – without success – and, unfortunately, many have perished in the battles; still today they are discriminated against, but the situation is changing. Slowly. The Chilean government, over the last five years, has invested greatly in cultural integration, through social projects and local development, and also through tourism.
After decades of fighting, now protected by the law, these days the Pehuenche can live relatively undisturbed in the woods that they consider home, a return to their peaceful and non-hierarchic social structure. Relieved of the weight of being warriors, to protect what was always theirs.