“At the pampas, the impressions are rapid, spasmodic, to then
disappear in the width of the environment, leaving no trace.”
Ricardo Güiraldes. Don Segundo Sombra.

Gallery 2
Social space and political territory

In this gallery, an assembly of everyday life pieces and objects account for the customs of the native settlers in the pampas. The pieces, manufactured in leather, wood and stone, demonstrate the diversity of daily life activity in the 19th Century tolderías (tent settlement).

Raúl Mandrini states in Los pueblos originarios de las regiones meridionales en el siglo XIX (Native settlers in the meridian regions during the 19th Century): “The toldería was […] the central space of aboriginal social life. […] Life in the tolderías was supported by an active domestic and rural economy. This is where one can perceive the impact of the long-term exposure to Creole society and the inclusion of Mapuche and European elements. Around these toldos (tents), sheepherding in a small or medium scale provided food for the families as well as different commodities, mainly leather and wool […]. The tolderías were an important center of craftsmanship, which, besides covering local needs, provided remnants for exchange”.

The set of ponchos placed in circle at the center of the gallery emulates the way in which assemblies and parliaments -spaces of discussion and the political platform for each community- were organized. Mandrini explains: “The traditional institutions characteristic of the native’s political life were the assemblies, committees or parliaments, in which all the conas, or men of the spears, took part. The supreme power resided, at first, in these institutions, and they decided on crucial affairs, devoted to the great caciques (chiefs) and solved issues related to peace and war. […] In mid 19th Century, they were already the center of political life and their authority and influence exceeded traditional warrior functions. In fact, although they lacked the formal apparatus- written laws, public force and an administrative department- the great caciques, whose increasing authority was consolidated by the prestige of their bloodline and the number of conas they were able to mobilize, exerted a crucial influence in fundamental decisions and assembly resolutions. […]

The wealth of each Cacique consisted of wife trade, which implied political alliances with other bloodlines; liquor trade and permanent feasts for guests; supporting close friends and family, whether native or white, who used to live alongside him, and carried out different tasks by accompanying him in the malones (Indian raids) and assemblies.  

The more generous the caciques, the greater their prestige and authority regarding their followers, whose support was essential when taking decisions in the parliaments, where they had to demonstrate their will power and authority”.

Bibliography:
- Raúl Mandrini, Los pueblos originarios de las regiones meridionales en el siglo XIX