Chono people

This article is about the indigenous people in Chile. For Mongolian tribe, see Chonos tribe.

Chono

Reconstruction of a dalca, the boat used by the Chono people
Total population
extinct
Regions with significant populations
Chile: Chiloé Archipelago
Languages
Chono language?
Religion
traditional tribal religion

Distribution of the pre-Hispanic people of Chile

Chono, or Chona, is a generic name for a nomadic, indigenous people of the Chiloé Archipelago, Chile. They are now extinct.

The Chono became extinct during the 18th century with the last survivor going missing in 1875.

The putative Chono language is known only from local toponyms and from an untranslated catechism.

Culture

Men hunted marine mammals, especially sea lions, while women gathered shellfish and seaweed. The Chono used nets and spears to gather food from the sea but supplemented their catch with potatoes and other plants from small gardens. Their healing places consisted of caves or leather structures.

References and notes

• The Oldest Americans, George Weber, May 6, 2007.