Description
The Huichol or Wixárika are an indigenous people of Mexico and the United States living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango, as well as in the United States in the states of California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. They are best known to the larger world as the Huichol, although they refer to themselves as Wixaritari ("the people") in their native Huichol language. The Huichol say that, for the most part, they originated in the state of San Luis Potosí, as well as in other parts of Mexico and the United States. Once yearly, some Huichol journey back to San Luís, their ancestral homeland to perform "Mitote" Peyote (Hikuri, in Wixarika) ceremonies. The Huichol are one of the ethnic groups that has managed to remain "pure" since the time of the Spanish conquest.
Language
The Huichol language, Wixarika, is a Uto-Aztecan language (Corachol branch) related to Cora.
Culture
Being a deeply spiritual people, the Huichol practice animism, or an ancient belief system that attributes souls to non-human entities, such as plants, animals and even inanimate objects. Guided by “marakame,” or shaman priests, their spiritual ceremonies, which involve weeping and singing. The Huichol are widely known for their intricate beaded and woven artwork, which is also closely tied to their spiritual life. The pieces of art, called “nierikas” are created from “dreams” that come to them during their ceremonies. In summer, when the rains come, they live on their ranchos in tiny rancherias and make cheese from the milk from their cattle, which they slaughter and eat usually only during celebrations. For the most part, their diet consists of tortillas, made from the Blue, Red, Yellow or White "Sacred corn," beans, rice and pasta, the occasional chicken or pig (from which they make "chicharrones"), chili peppers, supplemented with wild fruits and vegetables of the region, such as "colorines", a legume gathered from trees, or wild plums and guavas.