Power struggles in the remembering of historical intergroup conflict: hegemonic and counter-narratives about the Argentine ?Conquest of the Desert?

BARREIRO, ALICIA; WAINRYB, CECILIA; CARRETERO, MARIO

History Teaching and Conflict Transformation: Social Psychological Theories, History Teaching and Reconciliation

Springer

Año: 2017; p. 125 - 145

The ?Conquest of the Desert?, a military campaign carried out by the Argentine State at the end of the 19th century, involved the massacre and enslavement of indigenous communities. In this chapter we analyzed the hegemonic narrative concerning this historical process as conveyed by a museum?s exhibits along with the indigenous counter-narrative as registered supported by the local Mapuche community. Our analyses show that the hegemonic narrative tends to negate the conflict between the two groups by rendering the indigenous group invisible and representing their identity in an anachronistic fashion. The counter-narrative evidences a tension between indigenous people?s need to assert their identification with their ancestors and secure recognition from the dominant group, while also allowing for change and transformation in their midst.