From herders to wage-laborers and back again: mountain mobility in the Puna of Atacama, northern Chile.

Summary

Towards the end of the 19th Century, the subsistence mode of indigenous Atacameño society transited from an agricultural-pastoral economy to a more diversified capitalist-based one. This transformation resulted from a growing mining industry in the northern region of Chile. While part of the indigenous population migrated to the new productive enclaves, others remained in their territory, especially the herders of the puna. These highlanders, however, also took part of the new capitalist order as wage laborers in sulfur mines and llareta exploitation companies, all located in the mountain range. From archaeological research and oral history, we have detected the constant movement of indigenous laborers between different companies depending on the benefits that they offered. Such “transhumant” mobility was possible due to the cultural capital of these peoples, which translated in a deep knowledge of their territory as well as outstanding physical strength and endurance, all of which enabled them to accomplish hard work in a harsh environment. We contend that highlanders’ cultural capital operated as a means of resistance to poor labor conditions. Indeed, along with their constant itinerancy, Atacameños managed to maintain wage labor hand in hand with Andean practices such as earth rituals and the “flowering” of herds.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 81st Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL (2016)   •
• E pur si muove: Exploring Mobilities in Latin America

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