What is “Agency”?

My assigned Unit this week was the Mapuche peoples, by Jeremiah, Ata, Claire and Ashley. I thoroughly enjoyed reading their lecture and it provoked a few thoughts for me. My assigned Indigenous group was the Rarámuri, who are known for their reclusivity, and my group focused on how the Rarámuri exercised agency by being reclusive – by sequestering themselves in the Sierra Madres and avoiding the encroachment of other people. In this way the Rarámuri are mostly able to maintain agency and autonomy over their foodways and “traditional” culture without giving in to the effects of globalization.

However, whilst reading about the Mapuche I came to realize that “agency” doesn’t necessarily mean protecting one’s culture in a reclusive way, like the Rarámuri. The Mapuche exercise agency by exhibiting their culture publically, especially through tourism, which gives them a sense of pride and autonomy, according to the lecture. Also, while the Rarámuri feel most “connected” and “unified” by keeping most aspects of their culture rather secretive, the Mapuche feel a sense of cohesion in showcasing their culture. For the Mapuche, tourism also helps protect their culture, whereas for the Rarámuri it’s the complete opposite – they feel that tourism and exposure will hinder their ability to retain many of their traditions.

This is not to say that one way is necessarily “better” than the other. Rather, the differences in how these groups feel “unified” and how they exercise agency emphasizes that there is no “right” way to be in this ever-globalized, interconnected and changing world.

With that, here’s a (blurry, sorry) photo of a hike I did on Sunday. This was at 3PM – the sun was already beginning to make its way behind the mountains!