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Social Tourism

The Chol-Chol Foundation understands the importance and promise of socially responsible tourism. As part of its mission, it seeks to promote greater knowledge and appreciation of rural Mapuche women, especially their central role in socioeconomic development, the family and within their indigenous culture.

Chol-Chol offers three learning and exchange programs around the traditional Mapuche textiles and Fair Trade. Contact us for more specific information!

A visit to the Chol-Chol Foundation may include any of the following components, depending on the specific interests of the visitors:

• Mapuche Culture Learning

This is an opportunity to dig deeper into the culture of the Mapuche people, the largest indigenous group of southern Chile. A Mapuche weaver - a member of the Ñimi Kafe Pu Dome, the Indigenous Association of Textileras - will share her knowledge of the Mapuche culture, history, religious beliefs, customs and ceremonies. This presentation takes place in a model of a traditional Mapuche home or Ruka, located on the Foundation's grounds.

• Traditional Mapuche Textiles Learning

A presentation of the process of creating traditional Mapuche textiles, conducted by either an artisan or an expert instructor from the Foundation. This process includes the spinning of the wool on distaff and spindle, the dying with natural vegetables and minerals, and the weaving on the traditional loom or "huitral."
A visit to the fair trade shop will provide an opportunity to buy traditional textiles produced by the skilled women artisans of the Chol-Chol Foundation.

• Lectures

The organization's team have experience and are willing to share informatino on the following topics:

• Towards Development and Progress with Indigenous Communities: Brief history of more than 30 years as a Non-Governmental Organization in the Ninth Region of Chile.
• Mapuche Culture, Identity and Preservation of the Ancestral Way of Life: Traditional Mapuche Textiles as a means of cultural rescue.
• Social and Economic Impact of Fair Trade on Mapuche weavers in the coastal area of the Ninth Region of Chile.

• Traditional rural and Mapuche foods

We can provide services of traditional foods and typical meal of the Machuche people in the South of Chile, consisting of the products of the rural family gardens and poultry coops.

IMPORTANT

Visits to the Foundation's Fair Trade Textile Shop are free and can be performed without prior notice from Monday to Friday between 9.00 and 17.30.

ARE YOU A FAN OF RESPONSIBLE TOURISM?

There are several sites that define this kind of tourism, but it is all about following some rules like these listed below and that are listed on the website of Bambootique:

• Reduce carbon emissions by minimizing flying time and layovers - the worst carbon emissions are released during take-off and landing. Buy carbon offsets for flights you can’t avoid.
• Travel with respect. Learn a few words of the local language before you go and read online or pick up a book about the country from your local library. Traveling with respect earns you respect.
• Buy local produce over imported goods.
• Do not buy products made from endangered species, hard woods or ancient artifacts. Whenever possible buy directly from artisans themselves rather than from souvenir shops or middlemen.
• Use public transport, hire a bike or walk when convenient - its a great way to meet local people on their terms and reduce pollution and carbon emissions.
• Use water sparingly - its very precious in many countries and tourists tend to use far more than local people.
• Ask your tour operator or hotel staff whether there are local conservation or social projects that you could visit on your trip, and if/how you could help support them.