| Title |
Description |
Length |
 |
"Guanacache. The Waters of Thirst": an ethnological narrative about the Huarpe people |
After introducing her guest, Gregorio Manzur, Elisabeth de Pablo briefly discusses the contents of "Guanacache: The Waters of Thirst," which was the main text used to prepare the interview. This work is devoted to the world of Huarpe Indians. Elisabeth de Pablo stresses just how important this book is for Gregorio Manzur, who is actively engaged in the fight for the survival of a people and a culture facing imminent extinction.
|
00:02:36 |
 |
El Algarrobal - Gregorio Manzur’s native village in indigenous territory |
Gregorio Manzur talks about how he is originally from a village in the heart of indigenous territory in the northern part of Argentina’s Mendoza region. The territory of the indigenous Huarpes has a desert climate that depends heavily on the Mendoza River, which is its only significant water source...
|
00:01:01 |
 |
A Huarpe woman introduces the young Gregorio Manzur to the traditions of his people |
Gregorio Manzur talks about how as a child he was introduced to some of the Huarpe peoples’ traditions and practices by a female neighbor. He gives two examples: using the rue plant (graveolens) to treat stomach aches and to “chase folly out of the brain,” what they call “the practice of producing non-utilitarian fire.” |
00:03:03 |
 |
The first excursions into the Huarpe world with writer Draghi Lucero de Mendoza |
Gregorio Manzur cites in particular the writer Draghi Lucero de Mendoza who served as his “spiritual guide” during his first excursions into Huarpe country. In fact, this area represents another world, although it is not far from where the “Whites” live. Gregorio Manzur was particularly sensitive to the telluric force emanating from this land, a force he said to be so present and almost palpable. |
00:03:21 |
 |
The Mendoza region in the 18th century |
Gregorio Manzur briefly describes both the historical and ecological context of Argentina’s piedmont region of Mendoza where most descendents of the Huarpe Indians presently live. He gives an historical example of imitating a technique once considered primitive by the Spaniards but which turned out to be quite effective in protecting against the legions of mosquitoes that infested the Huarpes’ territory in the 18th century (the region was still riparian at that time). |
00:02:45 |
 |
The Spanish encomienda system and forced ethnic mixing, two causes of the progressive desertification of the Huarpes’ current territory |
One of the main causes of the desertification of the region around Mendoza (still a riparian and fertile region barely two centuries ago) has been the inhumane treatment of indigenous populations that have been living in the area for millenniums. Gregorio Manzur cites two factors: the Spanish encomienda system, or the regrouping and forced displacement of indigenous peoples who were practically slaves to the European colonizers, and the forced ethnic mixing between Indians and Spaniards, the purpose of which was to erase the institutions, traditions, and knowledge of indigenous peoples. |
00:02:34 |
 |
The extreme living conditions of the Puesteros in the region of Mendoza |
Gregorio Manzur tried to find out how people - in this case the Puesteros Huarpes - can survive in such a hostile desert climate. |
00:02:17 |
 |
Immigration and viticulture in the 19th century: two main causes of the desertification of the Mendoza region |
According to Gregorio Manzur, planned immigration and industrial-scale viticulture were two of the main causes of the ecological catastrophe that begun in the mid 19th century in the southern part of Argentina’s Mendoza region. |
00:02:03 |
 |
The Puesteros in Mendoza and San Juan in Argentina: precarious living conditions |
Gregorio Manzur gives various examples that show just how precarious the living conditions of the Puesteros Huarpes in desert regions really are. This precariousness has been further worsened by the fact that this is a region which has been stricken by both ecological and economic disasters.
|
00:01:55 |
 |
Communication between inhabitants isolated in a desert world |
Gregorio Manzur describes a strange phenomenon of sound perception (engine, puma’s roar, etc.) over great distances due to the exceptional quality of the desert’s acoustic environment. In fact, this is the quality that enables Puesteros living in isolation to communicate with one another and stay informed.
. |
00:02:34 |
 |
Gaining entry into the closed community of the Puesteros Huarpes |
Thanks to his origins and especially to his nephew, the godfather of a young Puesteros girl, Gregorio Manzur was able to enter into this highly closed community in order to understand it better and observe its customs, traditions, practices, and social structures. |
00:01:25 |
 |
Formidable animals for the Puesteros Huarpes: the Matuasto lizard and the coral snake |
While it may be an inoffensive and protected animal in Chile, for Argentinia’s Puesteros Huarpes the Matuasto is an animal to be feared. According to Gregorio Manzur’s interlocutors, the lizard can kill a horse by "electric shock". Gregorio Manzur also mentions the dangerous and highly venomous coral snake that is common in the desert regions inhabited by the Puesteros Huarpes. |
00:05:02 |
 |
Problematic cohabitation with the puma |
Gregorio Manzur explains why the puma, whose food supply has been decimated by Guanaco hunters, now must come down from the mountains to feed on goats. He also explains what the Puesteros think about the strategies for protecting themselves from the puma proposed by defenders of this feline. |
00:02:36 |
 |
The fox – a protected species, but one associated with the Devil in the Puesteros Huarpes belief system |
Gregorio Manzur talks about the conflicting relationship between the fox and the Puesteros. For these people, the fox is associated with the Devil. Gregorio Manzur gives an example of when he observed a Puestero putting a fox to death to illustrate this cultural vision. |
00:06:07 |
 |
Pozo balde: a traditional Huarpe technique for remedying the chronic lack of water |
Gregorio Manzur explains the phases in the traditional fabrication of water filters by Puesteros Huarpes. This technique entails collecting tiny twigs covering ant hills, kneading them into a clay like material, flattening the material, and then cooking it to evacuate the moisture. Next, the cooked material is covered with sawdust. The entire thing is then burned for several days and the fire eventually consumes the twigs kneaded into the clay material. When the process is finished, the cooked clay contains hollow micro-channels. When water is poured over the cooked clay, these channels filter the water. This is a highly effective technique for filtering drinking water. |
00:03:26 |
 |
Drilling for water at great depths: disappointing results |
In the Mendoza region, water found at great depths (between 150 and 250 meters) contains saltpeter and is not drinkable. Accordingly, modern drilling methods are ineffective at countering the chronic lack of water in this desert region.
|
00:00:38 |
 |
The stunning beauty of the deserts inhabited by the Huarpe Indians |
Gregorio Manzur praises the magnificent beauty of the desert regions inhabited by the Puesteros Huarpes.
|
00:00:38 |
 |
Huarpe homes: strict distinction between places for receiving and private space |
Gregorio Manzur briefly describes the homes of Huarpe Indians, which are generally very simple. He mentions their profound respect for homes’ privacy and intimacy. In fact, one may not enter Huarpe homes unless being invited by the owner of the home.
|
00:00:52 |
 |
Huarpe hospitality: the virtue of silence |
Gregorio Manzur underlines the generous hospitality of the Puesteros Huarpes in spite of their many economic difficulties. He particularly stresses the important role of silence in meetings and in communication between Huarpe Indians. He gives some clear concrete examples of this and concludes by comparing this vision, this attitude towards silence with the “information overload,” the incessant media noise characteristic of Western life. |
00:03:24 |
 |
Distance healing used on a cow |
Gregorio Manzur tells the strange story about using distance healing on a cow. Yet, to understand how such a phenomenon is possible, Gregorio Manzur says he would have had to take a vow to devote his life to healing, which he did not do. Given that he opted to stay “outside” the system of Huarpe beliefs according to which a cow can be cured by distance healing, Gregorio Manzur can only provide a Western explanation of this “strange” practice.
. |
00:02:32 |
 |
The salamanca: the witches’ Sabbath |
Gregorio Manzur explains that among the Huarpe the Devil is a synthesis of a telluric Huarpe divinity and the Christian Devil. He goes on to explain that this Devil - El Caballero, El Seniorito, El Mosito - organizes celebrations in the middle of Pampa, the Salamancas. He then talks about one of the five or six versions going around, which was transmitted to him by his uncle.
|
00:06:22 |
 |
A updated version of the Faustian myth of the Devil |
Gregorio Manzur tells us about a Huarpe version of the Faustian myth of the Devil: one day a Puestero Huarpe was digging a pozo balde when he met the Devil, who invited him to travel the world with him…
|
00:02:18 |
 |
Gritons, or the frontier between reality and myth |
Gritons are people returned from the dead and who do not have tongues. They come back to try to tear out humans’ tongues. Gregorio Manzur tells us the surprising story of a Puestero who is said to have fought with a griton for a whole night before returning home where he died from exhaustion three days later…
|
00:05:34 |
 |
Garlic and urine as protection against snakes and scorpions |
A 90 year-old Huarpe lumberjack told Gregorio Manzur and his nephew, Ruben Diaz, about an effective way of protecting oneself against snakes and scorpions: spread chopped garlic on the doorstep and then urinate on it… |
00:01:42 |
 |
The Devil as a protector of personal fortune |
A 90 year-old lumberjack enlightened Gregorio Manzur about the role as protector of personal fortunes played by the Devil (disguised, for example, as a dog) in the Huarpe belief system.
|
00:03:21 |
 |
The Devil as protector of guitar players |
Another protective role the Devil plays in the Huarpe belief system is being a protector of guitar players on the condition that the players do not use their art to earn money. |
00:02:32 |
 |
The festival of San José Artesano |
Gregorio Manzur explains that religious festivals are some of the only times that Puesteros come together. As an example, he cites the Festival of San José Artesano. During these encounters, the religious festivities are often accompanied by “secular” celebrations much to the dismay of any Priests present. Sometimes these can go on for several days. |
00:06:13 |
 |
The Virgin Mary, owner of the Huarpes’ lands |
According to Gregorio Manzur, the Virgin Mary is associated with the Earth in the belief system of Puesteros Huarpes. Along with the Devil, she is the most important religious figure in the religious imagination of the Huarpes, even more important than God or Jesus Christ.
|
00:02:42 |
 |
The complementarity between the Virgin Mary and the Devil in the religious worship of Puesteros Huarpes |
Gregorio Manzur stresses the importance of religious worship among the Puestros. Their world is shared “harmoniously” between the Virgin Mary and the Devil.
|
00:02:50 |
 |
Daily life among the Huarpes: tending to goats |
According to Gregorio Manzur, the main subsistence activity of the Puesteros is raising goats. The community members acquire baby goats during religious festivities.
|
00:01:35 |
 |
The movements of a goat herd |
According to Gregorio Manzur, goat herds show genuine intelligence in their movements. In fact, their movement is motivated by finding pastures, avoiding the zonda (very hot wind), finding water, etc. Accordingly, it is the goats more than the herders who decide the movements of the herd.
|
00:02:35 |
 |
Goat herds as “tools” for teaching young pumas how to hunt |
According to Gregorio Manzur, female pumas use goat herds to teach their young how to hunt. The puma kills as many goats as necessary only to show her youngsters how to kill and then encourages them to imitate her. It is something cruel to watch and complicates the relationship between pumas and herders.
|
00:00:53 |
 |
The traditional world of Puesteros Huarpes in danger |
The fact that the Huarpes have no educational structures and that many young people are now leaving for the city explains why their world is in danger. Gregorio Manzur points out that Puesteros children are often forced to leave home to find work in the city for economic reasons. Given the absence of adapted education and contact with urban life, the traditions (festivals, beliefs, social structures, etc) unique to the Huarpe world face the risk of imminent extinction. Using the example of the solar captor that the Puesteros use to get electricity (and hence use radio and television), Gregorio Manzur shows that the modern world (Western) is slowly winning out over the traditional ways of the Huarpe. A paved road will soon bring tourists into Huarpe lands. For Gregorio Manzur, this will mark the end of the Huarpes’ world. |
00:03:25 |
 |
Methods of subsistence: diet of the Huarpes |
Gregorio Manzur talks about how to hunt the quirquincho by night. The quirquinco is an armadillo, which has very tender meat similar to duck breast. Given the absence of legumes in the desert climate of the Puesteros Huarpes, people are forced to find them elsewhere. However, this is a very difficult thing to do (exorbitant prices, poor quality, etc) and hence the diet of Puesteros is mainly meat based. Gregorio Manzur briefly returns to the surprising fact that in Argentina beef is highly prized because of its rarity. The same applies to the goat herding Puesteros Huarpes. |
00:03:52 |
The Universe of the Huarpe Indians of Guanacache
