All over the world many indigenous communities leave their lands and move to the cities in order to conduct a new life. At the same time, these communities find themselves in a very vulnerable...Show moreAll over the world many indigenous communities leave their lands and move to the cities in order to conduct a new life. At the same time, these communities find themselves in a very vulnerable position, considering that they often face discrimination and struggle to fully adapt to their new environments. This research focuses on the case study of Chile and of the Mapuche community in particular. For historical and economic reasons, many Mapuche had to migrate to Santiago and other cities and as for 2002, two thirds of the whole Mapuche community lived in the city. Through the analysis of David Añiñir's collection of poems and the website of the political and social organization Meli WIxan Mapu, both residing in Santiago but of Mapuche heritage, this thesis argues that there is still a strong attachment to the indigenous community. The analysis is embedded within the theoretical framework of ethno-symbolism, an approach on identity developed by British sociologist Anthony Smith. The analysis sheds light on how ethno-symbolism contributes to a deeper understanding of how the Mapuche people living in the city relate to their identity.Show less