Culture of Chile
Culture of Chile
The culture of Chile is one of a relatively homogeneous society where historically its geographical isolation and remoteness has played a key role. During colonial times, the Chilean culture was a mix of Spanish colonial elements and indigenous (essentially Mapuche) culture. After Independence, Chilean culture has been heavily anglicised throughout the 19th century with elements of German, French and Italian culture, erasing nearly all of the Spanish influence. American influence has replaced British as well as other European influence in the early 20th century. Today, the colonial Spanish influence is virtually non-existent compared to other Latin American countries, i.e., lack of Spanish (colonial) buildings, and is reduced to the use of Spanish. Traditional Chilean culture is based on English and German elements from the Victorian period such as in rural architecture and folk dance and song, i.e. accordions. Modern culture in Chile, especially youth culture is basically the same as in the United States.
Traditional Chilean culture is of rural and agrarian origin, where horsemen, the Huaso of Central Chile, are the most emblematic symbol. While Chile has a geographically diverse territory, the lifestyle of the Central Chile has not been possible everywhere and different customs exists towards the north and south of Chile. Additionally, while some regions of Chile have very strong indigenous heritage, such as Araucanía Region, Easter Island, and Arica y Parinacota Region, some regions lacks considerable indigenous communities and a few other regions have noteworthy non-Spanish European immigrant heritage.
Chilean culture also varies along the class spectra and among age groups. Youth culture has existed in Chile since ever since the Nueva ola movement of the 1960s.[1] Media coverage has since the 1990s shown the existence of youth subculture in the major cities, particularly Santiago.
National identity
The term Chilenidad describes the
The culture of Chile is one of a relatively homogeneous society where historically its geographical isolation and remoteness has played a key role. During colonial times, the Chilean culture was a mix of Spanish colonial elements and indigenous (essentially Mapuche) culture. After Independence, Chilean culture has been heavily anglicised throughout the 19th century with elements of German, French and Italian culture, erasing nearly all of the Spanish influence. American influence has replaced British as well as other European influence in the early 20th century. Today, the colonial Spanish influence is virtually non-existent compared to other Latin American countries, i.e., lack of Spanish (colonial) buildings, and is reduced to the use of Spanish. Traditional Chilean culture is based on English and German elements from the Victorian period such as in rural architecture and folk dance and song, i.e. accordions. Modern culture in Chile, especially youth culture is basically the same as in the United States.
Traditional Chilean culture is of rural and agrarian origin, where horsemen, the Huaso of Central Chile, are the most emblematic symbol. While Chile has a geographically diverse territory, the lifestyle of the Central Chile has not been possible everywhere and different customs exists towards the north and south of Chile. Additionally, while some regions of Chile have very strong indigenous heritage, such as Araucanía Region, Easter Island, and Arica y Parinacota Region, some regions lacks considerable indigenous communities and a few other regions have noteworthy non-Spanish European immigrant heritage.
Chilean culture also varies along the class spectra and among age groups. Youth culture has existed in Chile since ever since the Nueva ola movement of the 1960s.[1] Media coverage has since the 1990s shown the existence of youth subculture in the major cities, particularly Santiago.
National identity
The term Chilenidad describes the