Análisis de un informe de misioneros referente al modo de vida, población y cultura de los pescadores changos del litoral de Paposo (región de Antofagasta) durante el verano de 1841

Abstract

We examine and discuss here an eco-anthropological analysis of a report presented by a group of catholic priests to Chilean minister Mr. Manuel Montt in 1841, after a missionary activity was developed in the area. The coastal area under study includes from site Miguel Díaz (in the North) until Caldera (to the South), in the región of Antofagasta. This document examines in detail the journey and activities of the priests, giving a special emphasis to ways of life, culture and ecosystem of small groups of families called here "paposinos", who practiced fishing, gathering and roaming system of life along the coast. Historical documents called them Changos, and were offsprings of primitive inhabitants at the coast. At the beginning, we present the section where geographic, climatic and the ecological features of the coastal area around Paposo is displayed as support to a better understanding of many of their cultural characteristics.