Mountain seeds: Gathering, uses and commercialization of seeds of the monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana) by Mapuche-Pewenche communities of the southern Andes

Abstract

The monkey puzzle tree (Araucaria araucana), or pewen in Mapuche language, is a native tree from Chile and Argentina with a strong cultural importance for Mapuche-Pewenche communities from the southern Andes. Using qualitative methodologies and ethnografic techniques, we assessed the different current uses, and economic and commercial aspects associated with the seed of the monkey puzzle tree in a mountainous municipality of south-central Chile. Local practices related to the seed show the intrinsic and material importance of this seed for both Pewenche and other settlers. Our results show that these practices include from the gathering, through the bulk selling, to the commercialization of processed products from the seed and an increasing offer of touristic experiences integrating seeds, trees, culture and local landscapes. We conclude that gathering, uses and commercialization processes associated with the araucaria seed have two main components that establish a continuous dialogue: one economic component, in the commercial and livelihood vein, and a biocultural component, in the spiritual, social, ecological and food sense. Copyright: