Mediator of worlds
The Mapuche machi holds the ancient knowledge of the natural and supernatural worlds, serving as both medicine man or woman and mediator between humans and divine powers. In trance, the machi communicates with the ancestors and on behalf of the Creator. Music is central to these sacred rites. The machi’s instrument is the kultrún drum, which bears the symbol of the four directions. The rewe or altar has a ladder shape that symbolizes the connection between the terrestrial and celestial worlds.
Machi, general view
Ceremonial drum and drumstick. Mapuche. MCHAP, 3680, 2607 b
Ceremonial drum and drumstick. Mapuche. MCHAP, 3680, 2607 b
Ceremonial headdress Lana, madera, metal. Mapuche. MCHAP, 3621
Wooden flute. Mapuche. MCHAP, 1807
Machi. Rewe. Detail. Mapuche. MCHAP,1700
Machi. Rewe. Detail. Mapuche. MCHAP,1700
Machi woman. Illustration, José Pérez de Arce.