Contar a los indígenas en Chile: Autoadscripción étnica en la experiencia censal de 1992 y 2002

Abstract

This article analysis the subjective ethnic self-ascription of indigenous populations in Chile by considering the census processes of 1992 and 2002, the institutional action behind the definition and operation of ethnic records, and ethnographic information. We argue that in both census processes, which were based on self-ascribed concepts of “culture” and “people”, respectively, heterogeneous and ever-transforming perceptions and collective identifications are made evident. An interpretation of this issue is drawn from the highly diverse socio-historic shaping of identifications and senses of collective belonging that characterize the indigenous populations in the country. In addition, we consider the sudden changes on conscience and the valuation of cultural difference between both census processes. Equally important is the referential shift from culture to people since, in terms of self-ascription, the later concept is semantically more restrictive than the former. One of the most relevant implications of this analysis lies in the fact that the premise of a direct relationship between ethnic self-ascription and objective biographic basis is only partially fulfilled. Thus, the weakness of official procedures to “count Indians” in Chile is made evident.