Politeness or Ignorance? How Germans Perceive Mapuche People

It’s an interesting topic to explore how different cultural backgrounds influence one's perception of ethnicity. When it comes to the relationship between Germans and Mapuche people, one might assume a level of cold-hearted racism. However, reality tells a different narrative. Let’s dive into how the average German perceives Mapuche people, and how such perceptions might shape their interactions.

General Lack of Awareness

Most Germans, unless actively engaged with or familiar with South America, would be hard-pressed to recognize a Mapuche. It’s a fact that required me, the author, to look it up. This unfamiliarity is compounded by the general lack of exposure to Latin American culture and the scant representation of indigenous peoples in mainstream media.

Some Germans might recognize the Mapuche as a group of Native Americans, associating them with the Sioux or other Native American tribes. This often leads to some insensitive but well-meaning questions, stemming from a romanticized view of the Native American lifestyle and the North American Wild West era.

Misconceptions and Assumptions

Others might mistakenly link the Mapuche to Maya or Aztec cultures, often asking about apocalyptic scenarios or the end of the world due to their cultural significance in South American history. This confusion illustrates a broader gap in understanding diverse indigenous cultures.

For those particularly lucky or unlucky, a German might have a passing familiarity with ancient South American civilizations. However, even in such cases, the Mapuche are often conflated with the Inca, leading to a generalized and oversimplified understanding.

Regardless of their level of knowledge, Germans typically lack any specific biases towards the Mapuche or indeed other South Americans. This general lack of awareness often translates into a benign form of ignorance rather than active prejudice.

Indirect Prejudices

While direct racism towards Mapuche people is rare, Germans might exhibit indirect prejudices or xenophobia, particularly among a vocal minority. These prejudices often stem from assumptions about South Americans being involved in drug cartels, leading to an unwarranted apprehension from a certain segment of the population.

However, the vast majority of interactions with Mapuche people are marked by a general indifference, primarily driven by a lack of knowledge and interest. Germans are far more concerned with their own socio-economic issues and tend to be less aware of global affairs, including those in Chile and Argentina.

Cultural Perception of South Americans

The general perception of South Americans in Germany is that of distant, somewhat impoverished Europeans, which oddly provides a blanket of protection against specific forms of racism. This ignorance, while frustrating from an educational standpoint, is seen as beneficial in the absence of direct hostility.

Expect questions and comments that arise from curiosity, often colored by a romanticized or oversimplified view of indigenous cultures. For example, someone might ask, "Do you also have totem poles?" These queries reflect a genuine interest but are often rooted in clumsy, non-malicious curiosity and often provide opportunities for educating the inquisitive audience.

Conclusion

The relationship between German people and the Mapuche is largely shaped by a lack of awareness rather than racism. Germans are generally polite and open-minded but often nonchalant about issues that they are not familiar with. While there may be some indirect prejudices, the overall sentiment towards Mapuche people is one of benign ignorance, offering a respite from the harsher realities of race relations in other parts of the world.

If you’re a Mapuche living or visiting Germany, prepare for a mix of curiosity and learning opportunities. Embrace the chance to educate and share your cultural experiences, which can lead to greater understanding and a more nuanced perspective on identity and origin.