The Yaghan, also called Yagán, Yahgan, Yámana, Yamana, or Tequenica, are one of the indigenous peoples of the Southern Cone, who are regarded as the southernmost peoples in the world. Their traditional territory includes the islands south of Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego, extending their presence into Cape Horn. They have been there for more than 10,000 years.
In the 19th century, they were known as Fuegians by the English-speaking world, but the term is now avoided as it can refer to any of the several indigenous peoples of Tierra del Fuego. (For instance, the Selk'nam inhabited the northeastern part of Tierra del Fuego.) Some are reputed to still speak the Yaghan language (also known as Yámana), which is considered to be a language isolate; however, most speak Spanish. As of 2012, Cristina Calderón, who lives in Chile territory, is known as the last full-blooded Yahgan and last native speaker of the Yahgan language.
The Yaghan were traditionally nomads, who were hunter-gatherers. They traveled by canoes between islands to collect food: the men hunted sea lions, while the women dived to collect shellfish.
jätän sulle sanoman faksiin
kun sen saat oon kaukana jossain
enkä heti palaakaan
Sana ei on aina sun yllä
tänään ei on minulle kyllä
tukehdun jos vierelle jään sun
tahdon vapaana olla taas
(Chorus)
Anna mun bailaa
anna mun bailata
anna mun koko ilta keinua vaan
Anna mun bailaa
mennä ja bailata
askeleitani et saa hidastaa
Kuski paina kaasu pohjaan
sinne minne valot ohjaa
koti-illat saavat riittää
enää et mua kiinni saa
Tarvitse en fyssaa tai hissaa
tahdon vain leikkiä kissaa
tukehdun jos vierelle jään sun
tahdon vapaana olla taas