Religion, popular beliefs and legends about Copahue Volcano

Abstract

It is not possible to write about Copahue volcano without mentioning the population that, for the last three centuries, has been living in its surroundings: the Mapuche. This chapter accompaings the reader through a fascinating tale, from the settling of the first tribes in the Argentine territory to their nowadays life in the thirty territorial reservations, that host 50–100 families. Their story in the Argentine Andean sector begins with the ethnic replacement of previous inhabitants through a process of adaptation and fusion. The deep contact with nature strongly influenced their beliefs, from the prayers dedicated to productive trees, to the connection they believe exists between the souls of their dead and natural phenomena. Their relationship with the volcano culminates with the narration of a legend that can explain the etymology of the name Copahue.