El proyecto de Valentín Saygüeque. Gestión de identidades y heterogeneidad étnica en los bordes de la nación

Abstract

We focus on possible interpretations and problems raised by the concepts present in the headline of official documents issued by Saygüeque and his officers until 1880. These documents have printed three clue words: "Gobernación Indígena de las Manzanas". The first problem we analyze is legitimacy and provenience of power of this Gobernación. The second issue is the indigenous feature of such a Gobernación. And, the third one is about territoriality. The Saygüeque political decision favoring Argentina, and the political structure of Las Manzanas (mainly supported by eastern caciques) exceeded any tactical opportunism or the mere interest in governmental rations. The relationships Argentina and Chile established with different cacique nets contributed to settle the limits ofboth states. Saygüeque practices, considered as "border practices", enable us to recognize historical alternative ways -mostly frustrated- of integrating nation.