Bertha Koessler-Ilg (1881–1965) was a German-born Argentine nurse who is remembered for her work as a folklorist. While young, she spent some time with her uncle, the German consult of Malta, documenting the folklore of the island. In 1912, she married the physician Rudolf Kössler and emigrated with him to Argentina. There they settled in the remote Patagonian town of San Martín de los Andes where she developed friendships with the local Mapuche inhabitants. As a result, over the years she was able to record their stories and traditions. From 1940, she wrote several works in this connection, including Tradiciones araucanas (1962). This forms part of Cuenta el Pueblo Mapuche (The Mapuche People Tell Tales) published in 2006.[1][2] [3]
- ^ Tapia, Patricio (13 May 2007). ""Cuenta el pueblo mapuche": Bertha Koessler-Ilg, la araucana blanca" (in Spanish). El Mercurio. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ Alexandria (1 February 2009). "The Mapuche People Tell Tales". Translorial. Retrieved 15 March 2023.
- ^ "Bertha Koessler-Ilg, la mujer que dejó escrita la tradición oral del pueblo Mapuche" (in Spanish). Neuquên uno. Retrieved 15 March 2023.