Selk'nam

The Selk'nam were an indigenous people of southern Argentina and Tierra del Fuego, known for their complex hunting and gathering culture. They traditionally relied on hunting guanacos, deer, and seabirds, and crafted intricate tools, clothing, and ceremonial artifacts. Their society was organized into clans, with rich mythologies and rituals, particularly involving initiation ceremonies. Due to European colonization, disease, and violence, their population drastically declined in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, efforts are underway to preserve Selk'nam heritage, language, and cultural practices, recognizing their historical significance and resilience.