uthal-mapu

Updated: May 5, 2025

The whole country of the Araucanian confederacy is divided into four principalities, called Uthal-mapu in their language, which run parallel to each other from north to south. These are respectively named Lauquen-mapu, or the maritime country; Lelbun-mapu, or the plain country; Inapire-mapu, or country at the foot of the Andes; and Pire-mapu, or the country on the Andes.

Robert Kerr - A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 05 : Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the : Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea : and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time

But if hostilities have been already commenced, the finger of a slain enemy accompanies the arrows. This embassy is called pulchitum, which signifies to run the arrow, and the messengers are called guerquenis. The toqui or military dictator directs what number of soldiers is to be furnished by each Uthal-mapu or principality.

Robert Kerr - A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 05 : Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the : Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea : and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time

Each principality or Uthal-mapu is divided into five provinces, called Ailla-regue; and each province into nine districts, termed regue. Hence the whole country contains 4 Uthal-mapus, 20 Ailla-regues, and 180 Regues.

Robert Kerr - A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels - Volume 05 : Arranged in Systematic Order: Forming a Complete History of the : Origin and Progress of Navigation, Discovery, and Commerce, by Sea : and Land, from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time