At the "End of the World," in the Tierra del Fuego region of the Argentina archipelago, there exists a clear history of European settlement. Europeans, motivated by conquests of gold, oil, and prime grazing grasslands sailed to this southernmost area with hopes of monetary gains. Today, southern Argentine cities gather their roots from this rich history. However, before the influx of foreign people, there existed several relatively little known groups of people. The Yaghan (or Yamana), Alacaluts, and the Ona peoples once roamed the desolate area, enduring rough climatic conditions and finding little competition for the wildlife and marine resources upon which they relied for survival.
Like the Alacaluts, the Yaghan people were mobile canoe travelers living in the labyrinth-like channels and waterways of Tierra del Fuego. Hunting with heavy harpoons, their bounties included large marine animals, fish and shellfish. Even through the harshest of weather they wore only scant clothing and traveled the snowy region with bare feet. Charles Darwin, on his voyage up the Beagle Channel, was impressed to note "these people going about naked and barefoot on the snow." Relying upon marine resources and living in such close proximity to the sea, it was only appropriate that they smoothed greasy fish or animal fat over their bodies to protect their skin from the wind and cold. The Yaghan people constantly had a fire stoked to keep themselves warm; they even chanced the demise of their transportation by starting fires within their bark canoes, providing warmth while they traveled the chilly waters. The very name of this region, Tierra del Fuego (meaning "Land of Fire"), was inspired by this group of indigenous peoples. Spanish explorers appointed this name as they journeyed in search of the Spice Isles, passing the Tierra del Fuego shorelines and seeing the land dotted with man-made fires.
Geographically and culturally distinct from the Yaghan, the Ona were a land dwelling and war-like people. They had two main groups: the Hausch and the Selk'nam. Within the latter were two subdivisions, one that occupied the northern treeless prairies of the Rio de Fuego and one located within the southern parklands and forested regions. Distinctive from their coastal counterparts, these people were gigantic in stature and survived by hunting guanacos and tuco-tuco, a type of rodent, using a bow and arrow as a weapon. They were known for being fierce warriors and enjoyed displaying their ruthlessness, often making attacks on the Yaghan, by whom they were greatly feared. Unlike the bare-skinned canoe peoples, Ona garments consisted of heavy furs and leather shoes for snow travel. They ornamented their bodies with necklaces and bracelets crafted out of bird bone, shell and guanaco tendons and by painting simple drawings with red, black, white and yellow paint. Surviving harsh conditions and implementing severe behavior, Darwin notes this culture's distinctive peoples and their infamous disposition by entitling them "wretched lords of this wretched land."
If you travel to Argentina today you will not see any traces of these indigenous groups. Surviving in a very inhospitable corner of the planet, the Yaghan, Alacaluts, and Ona proved to be strong and enduring people. However, these qualities did not protect them from the influx of foreign disease and culture. Discoveries of natural resources by the Spanish, and later other European settlers, brought quick changes to these historic cultures. European disease wiped out large numbers of both populations, and those that survived faced the problem of cultural erosion. As European customs and religious culture infiltrated the area, missionaries arrived with goals to convert and "civilize" local people. It was not long before these distinctive cultures faded dramatically and those that did survive melded culturally with new peoples of the land. Today less than five pureblood Ona and five pureblood Yahgans people exist in present day Tierra del Fuego, though there are many people of mixed-blood.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
2 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
4 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
5 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.