Supernatural Mapuche: extractivism, nonhuman beings and fear in Central-Southern Chile

Abstract

This work focuses on understanding the effects produced in Mapuche territories with the arrival of extractive projects in the field of energy production. From a political ontology perspective, and through an ethnographic methodology, we analyze the case of the Neltume Hydroelectric Project located in the Panguipulli commune (Region of Los Ríos, south of Chile). Rethinking critically the approaches of the Brazilian anthropologist Eduardo Viveiros de Castro, in the light of our field findings, we argue that the territories intervened -from certain transgressive actions- are comprised of “supernatural” contexts. This entails a change in the relationship between a set of non-human entities regarding to humans, characterized by the belligerence and anger of the former against the lack of protection and the fear of the latter.