The Mapuche people come from ancient groupings and cultures that gradually developed in the current territory of Chile. Archaeological investigations carried out in the Province of Arauco indicate that there were early occupations corresponding to the Middle Archaic period (between the years 6500 to 4500 before the present).

From the Mapuche perspective there is a type of differentiation, reflected in four geographical orientations (or Meli Wutran Mapu), which identifies the inhabitants of each point: Willimapu (williche, people of the south), Picunmapu (picunche, people to the north of Biobío), Puelmapu (puelche, people of the mountain range); Lafkenmapu (lafkenche, people of the coast-sea).

The Mapuche exercised a great influence through linguistic unity. In the mid-16th century, chroniclers of the time point out that, from the Choapa River to the Chiloé Archipelago, the same language was spoken. How did these indigenous groups share a similar language, customs, rites, social and political procedures, without having a centralized State and in an extension of territory so large and long? There is still no clear answer.

The Hispanic invasion had similar effects throughout the American continent. In Chile there was some resistance by the peoples of the north and center of the territory, but they ended up succumbing to the Spanish army. However, this system could not be imposed in the south of Chile, in Mapuche territory, so this people has the peculiarity of having remained independent of Spain for more than 260 years.