Tehuelche

The Tehuelche are an indigenous people of Patagonia, located in southern Argentina and parts of Chile. Traditionally they inhabited the Patagonian steppes and coastal zones, living in small, mobile bands that followed seasonal resources. They interacted with neighboring groups and adapted to a variety of environments across the region.

Language and dialects: The Tehuelche language comprises two main varieties, Northern Tehuelche and Southern Tehuelche, the latter also known as Aónik’en. The language is endangered, with most fluent speakers being older adults. There are ongoing efforts to document and revitalize Tehuelche, often through communities, scholars, and educational programs.

Culture and society: Historically, Tehuelche communities were hunter-gatherers who relied on game such as guanacos and on fishing for nourishment. They practiced a nomadic or semi-nomadic lifestyle, using portable dwellings and animal skins for clothing and shelter. Social organization centered on kinship networks, with customary practices guiding resource sharing, marriage, and movement. Artistic and material culture included craftsmanship in hide processing and tool making.

History and contemporary status: Following contact with Mapuche, European colonizers, and Argentine expansion in the 19th century, Tehuelche populations faced disease, displacement, and loss of territory. Today, Tehuelche communities remain in Argentina’s Chubut and Santa Cruz provinces and to some extent in Chile. They participate in indigenous rights movements and cultural revitalization efforts, seeking recognition of land rights, language preservation, and the continuation of traditional knowledge through communities, centers, and education.