Memory and common knowledge. The flowering of quila in the south of Chile: rats, ruins and remedies

Abstract

The present study examines the social and natural history of the species Chusquea quila through time. Starting from the historical, anthropological and eco-cultural investigation, and under the perspective of the “ordinary knowledge”, this study describes and analyze the diverse relations that has had the species with the peasants and indigenous from the south of Chile, including associated events such as periods of synchronous flowering, mice plagues ('ratadas') knowledge, uses and symbolic representations. Whit this purpose, we used historical records from XVI century and oral sources (key informants) from eleven towns of the X region. In relation to gregarious flowering, and according to oral sources, the findings showed certain patterns of coincident behavior in the recurrence of mass flowering events (cycles of around 60 to 70 years), refuting what was settled by all the precedent anecdotic observations (10 to 30 years). Also, the oral and written records specify the relevance of the species for the rural population from the south of Chile, not only because of their use (cattle forage, food, housing, weapons, medications, etc.), but also for their symbolic impact and significance (imagery, beliefs and representations).