Galvarino

Galvarino (died c. November 30, 1557) was a famous Mapuche warrior during majority of the early part of the Arauco War.

He fought and was taken prisoner along with one hundred and fifty other Mapuche, in the Battle of Lagunillas against governor García Hurtado de Mendoza.

Mendoza sent him to inform general Caupolicán of the number and quality of the people which had entered their land again, to put some fear into him, among other means that were tried, so that he might submit without coming to blows.

He moved ahead of the squadron a distance, and said with a loud voice that he would die first and though he no longer had hands, that he would do what he could with his teeth.Jerónimo de Vivar, Crónica, Capítulo CXXXIII.

[4] In the book La Araucana,[5] written by Alonso de Ercilla, he explains that the real death of Galvarino was by hanging.