lof

{{Short description|Basic social organization of the Mapuche people}}

{{About||the German municipality|Löf|other uses|LOF (disambiguation)}}

Lof (Spanish: levo and lov) or caví (Spanish: cahuín); formed the basic social organization of the Mapuche, Mapuche-Huilliche and the extinct Picunche peoples, consisting of a familial clan or lineage that recognizes the authority of a lonco (cacique). The lof or caví is formed by diverse families that share the same territory and who are considered mutually related, descended from a common ancestor. Several lof form a rehue, and nine rehue formed the aillarehue. These formed one of the 3 or 5 great territorial confederations of the Mapuches, the Butalmapu ("great earth").

The identity of lof was reinforced by the accomplishment of diverse community and festive activities. Lof habitually shared a unique rehue, or Machi's altar, in which the more significant religious ceremonies were performed. The vitality of the clan shone in the accomplishment of {{lang|huh|Lof kudau}}, a type of retributive communitarian work, followed by a celebration with a feast and drinking, similar to the mingaco of the Quechua. {{lang|huh|Lof kudau}} consisted usually of harvests, and other work that demanded large amounts of manpower, mainly in the fields of rich and prestigious personages of the lof: the {{lang|huh|ulmenes}} and loncos, who could afford to provide enough food and drink to those who worked.