Mañil

Mañil or Magnil was a Mapuche lonko who fought in the 1851 Chilean Revolution and led an uprising in 1859. He was the main chief of the Arribanos and the father of Quilapán who led Mapuche forces in the Occupation of Araucanía.

Mañil had a long-running enmity with lonko Juan Lorenzo Colipí dating back to their participation in the Guerra a muerte (1819–1821) phase of the Chilean War of Independence. In 1834 and 1835 he survived a large malón by Colipí and was later able to rebuild his forces. When Colipí died in 1850 it was said he had been poisoned by Mañil's men. In a letter to Manuel Montt Mañil denounced the plunder of graves in search of Mapuche silver, arson of Mapuche houses and other abuses against Mapuches that were happening in the newly created province. Mañil further accused intendant Villalón con Salbo of becoming rich by cattle theft.

The encroachment over time of settlers advancing from the north across Bío Bío River into Mapuche territory and the appearance of German settlers in the south of the Mapuche territory led chief Mañil in 1859 to call for an uprising to assert control over the territory. Most Mapuches responded to the call, except the communities at Purén, Choll Choll, and the southern coastal Mapuches who had strong links with Valdivia. These events contributed to the Chilean authorities' decision of occupying Araucanía.