‘Heritagisation’ of food, the production of a people: Antiquity as a Mapuche Heritage

Abstract

This article seeks to describe and analyze the process of ‘heritagisation’ of food in Chile, particularly products and preparations associated with the Mapuche people, promoted by the State. Through field observations and analysis of secondary sources, we examine the ‘heritagisation’ policy of the State, the changes in ideas about heritage, as well as types of exhibition, in the last ten years. Finally, our proposal is that the importance of antiquity in the selection of heritage translates into a representation of the Mapuche as an ancient people and legitimate origin of national heritage.