Sangre de machi: the studious and multifunctional player of the U

Between her classes at the university and trainings with the U, Natalia Cayupán Reuque (19) always leaves a space to keep up with the news about the Mapuche people, which have abounded in recent months. Despite leading a lifestyle far from that of her ancestors, who had important roles in the original community, the soccer player maintains, or tries, to maintain the link with the culture. One that at least in her family has been gradually fading.

“My two surnames are of Mapuche origin. I don’t really know where they come from, but I know they have a super powerful meaning. The connection that I have with the Mapuche people is still somewhat distant. I am super proud to bear my surnames, but beliefs or traditions have never been instilled in my families. Also because they weren’t raised that way either. In addition, the fact of living in a city like Santiago takes me away from how beautiful it is to be a son of the earth, but by my own means I have always tried to be aware of everything. To learn a little Mapudungun, to know about my ancestors, to know that my paternal great-grandmothers were machi in Puerto Saavedra. It is something super nice and very important ”, says the forward-wheel from Universidad de Chile.

In addition to his maternal surname, his Mapuche blood is inherited from two machis. The pride of being a descendant of these spiritual authorities of the autochthonous culture, for Natalia even has a link with her future profession. “It’s super curious, but a few months ago my dad was in the south and was able to meet some of her cousins. They asked him if there was anyone in Santiago who was interested in health. And of course, now drawing conclusions, I believe that my decision to study obstetrics, something related to medicine, has to do with them ”, he comments.

None of his children followed the belief. They both worked with spirits, my dad could see that kind of thing. In addition to clothing, when they played the kultrun and all that ”, he relates, about the non-transfer of customs. In contingent terms, he has a clear opinion on the Mapuche cause. “It is a super complicated and sensitive subject. I do not justify the violence that has been seen during all these years. It hurts me to know that the Mapuche people are fighting for something that they have owned all their lives. Also because the respect they deserve has not been given, and I believe that no indigenous people in general, throughout Chile. It is difficult to live in a society where it is stigmatized that, because you have a Mapuche surname, you are branded as certain things. I hope that with everything that is happening they can become aware of the true meaning of being a child of the earth, so that the rights and beliefs of the original peoples of Chile are respected, ”he says.

“As long as the rights of the Mapuche people are not recognized, I see a difficult solution to the conflict. I hope that there is a coherent dialogue and that once and for all this native people is left in peace “, adds the blue player, who is included in having felt that discrimination that she mentions:” When I was younger I had moments where people It made me feel less for not having a surname of Spanish or European origin. Nowadays, imagine how proud I am to play for such an important club and that my surnames, which are rare, are there. It is something super important ”.

Taking their last names to the top is one of their goals. What has been achieved by his colleague from the institution, Jean Beausejour, with a Mapuche maternal surname, is a clear example. “Reaching the National Team is something that any player would want. Being able to represent the Mapuche people is something super nice and interesting, and also to make my family members proud who also carry Mapuche blood everywhere, ”she says.

Also blue blood

If Natalia Cayupán has the Mapuche shirt on well, she also has it for her team, Universidad de Chile. Despite not having a contract, from weekend to weekend she defends the blue colors. That, until the pandemic. “Since it became known that we had to stay at home, the coaching staff worried from the first moment. By the first week we had our physical, technical and preventive guidelines, and as the weeks passed we began to get together to train through Zoom and we were able to interact more. In all these years that I have been playing at the U, I have always seen how the club has been concerned. I compare it with other clubs that I have seen their realities and I see how fortunate I am to be able to have my own training clothes, my own dressing room, a sports center that has everything, “she says. Today they already train in person.

“This year the first step has already been taken to professionalize our women’s branch. Some players have contracts, and that’s a good start. Who knows if in the future we can have it all, but that is already a big step ”, he adds, who also admits that at the moment he does not live from football.

Natalia continues with her studies to become a health professional. At the same time, the blue workouts complement her routine. Everything in her life surrounded by modernization and far from her roots, which does not take away her identification and pride of being a Mapuche. And despite the fact that the ancestral blood we all carry. Hers few: machi blood.