A Machi is a shaman or (usually) a good witch in the Mapuche culture of South America; and is also an important character and the Mapuche mythology. The shaman is an intellectual and spiritual figure who is regarded as possessing power and influence on other peoples in the tribe and performs several functions, primarily that of a healer ( medicine man). The shaman provides medical care, and serves other community needs during crisis times, via supernatural means (means... This article is part of the Witchcraft series. ... Mapuche (Mapudungun; Che, People + Mapu, of the Land) are the original Amerindian inhabitants of Central and Southern Chile and Southern Argentina. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... In the mythology and beliefs of the Mapuche people, the Machi (Shaman), a role usually filled by older women, is an extremely important part of the Mapuche culture, even today and in parallel with Christianity. ...

Description

They are spiritual leaders and function as: curandero (witch-doctors), and/or herbalists, religious authority, and consultant. A curandero (or curandera for a female) is a traditional folk healer or shaman prevalent in Latin America, and especially in Mexico and in Chicano communities in the southwestern United States. ...

The term is sometimes interchangeable with the word Kalku, however Kalku has a usually evil connotation whereas Machi has a usually righteous connotation; however this is not always true in every circumstance as the terms are every so often sometimes mistakenly, mutually interchangeable. Kalku or Calcu, in Chilean folklore and the Mapuche mythology, is a witch or shaman, usually an evil one, but not necessarily. ...

The Mapuches live in southern South America mostly in central Chile (Araucanía and Los Lagos) and the adjacent areas of Argentina. South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... Araucanía is Chiles ninth administrative region from north to south. ... Los Lagos (Spanish The lakes) is Chiles tenth administrative region from north to south. ...

See also

• Mapuche
• Kalku