THE SPACE-TIME COMPRESSION OF INDIGENOUS TOPONYMY: THE CASE OF MAPUCHE TOPONYMY IN CHILEAN NORPATAGONIA

abstract

The classic approach to research on toponymy is limited to a linguistic focus. This reductionism has had a negative impact on the study of the toponymy of intercultural and indigenous territories, as in the case of the northern Patagonia. Based on a two-year ethnographic study in northern Patagonia, this article analyzes the socio-spatial dimension of Mapuche toponymy, through a mixed methodology involving both data collection and analysis, and an ethnographic approach. The article analyzes how these toponyms emerge from a variety of socio-spatial practices and meanings that are not only intertwined, but also involve several social, environmental, and political dimensions. We argue that the study of indigenous toponymy as a space-time compression entails an ontological opening of toponymy based on the process of inhabiting place. In this regard, the paper discusses the importance of understanding indigenous toponymy as a historically situated process.

Keywords:

• Norpatagonia
• indigenous toponymy
• space-time compression
• Mapuche

Acknowledgments

A special thanks to some of our interlocutors: Rosendo Huisca, José Loncopan, Juana Calfueque, Rodrigo Colihueque, Pedro Parra, Luis Curilaf, Cristián Sepúlveda and José Llancafil. Suggestions from two anonymous reviewers greatly enhanced earlier versions of this manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by CONICYT Research Project Fondecyt Regular N° 1181575; by Centro de Desarrollo Urbano Sustentable (CONICYT, FONDAP No 15110020); and by Centro de Estudios Interculturales e Indígenas (CONICYT, FONDAP No 15110006).