Comprehending shamanism in the Huichol world by Dr. Thomas Pinkson

Shamanism is humanity's oldest form of relationship to Spirit. As such, it is the underpinning beneath all religion. But shamanism is not a religion. It is a complex set of practices, beliefs, va... read more

Huichol artwork: the ceremonial bowls by Robert Otey

The ceremonial bowls or jícaras, as they are called, are made of gourds which are prized for their light weight and durability as water vessels and storage containers. The bowls hold visions and crea... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

Flowers of Wiricuta - book excerpt: chapter 6 Responsible Ecstasy by Dr. Thomas Pinkson

Ecstasy is a real human need... a state of consciousness beyond concept. And if it does not come through...in positive ways... it's going to come out in violence. -- Elizabeth C... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

So Sings The Blue Deer - book excerpt by Charmayne McGee

So Sings the Blue Deer is based upon the true story of the Huichol Indian's 600 mile pilgrimage to save the Earth from environmental destruction.

Yarn painting - images of a vanishing culture by Maria von Bolschwing

The Huichol Indians, whose pre-Hispanic culture still survives in the remote Sierra Madres ranges, live a life woven of magic and sacred mythology. Believing themselves to be that part of creation whic... read more

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The Huichol people of Mexico and their symbols by Robert Otey

Deer. Maize. Peyote These are the most important symbols for the Huichol. They represent a culture in transition from hunting and gathering strategies to that of a sedentary agrarian lifestyle... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

Huichol artwork: masks by Robert Otey

The masks are like mirrors that reflect the patterns of face paintings worn during sacred ceremonies. The Huichol people understand themselves to be mirrors of the gods. The Huichol people believe tha... read more

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Huichol artwork and how to care for it by Robert Otey

The art is made by overlaying carved wood or gourds — in the case of ceremonial bowls — with a beeswax - pine resin mixture, then meticulously placing the beads on this sticky base, by hand, one by... read more

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Huichol artwork: celestial things by Robert Otey

The eclipse has special meaning for the Huichol, because it represents the eclipse of July 11 1991 at 10:21 A.M. Pacific Coast time. This is the sixth sun according to the ancient Meso-American Calenda... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups Central Pacific

The Huichol of Jalisco and Nayarit by Robert Otey

The Huichols are a hearty and enduring people numbering about 18,000, most of which live in the Jalisco and Nayarit, two rugged and mountainous states in North Central Mexico. They are descendents of ... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups Central Pacific

Symbolism used by the Huichols by Angela Corelis

Tacutsi Aramara, the Goddess of Life, is the Mother Goddess. From her have sprung all life forms; humans, animals and plants. Tacutsi not only gives life to all she nurtures, but teaches a manner of li... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

The Huichol Center For Cultural Survival

Susana Eger Valadez traveled to Mexico about 20 years ago while working on her Master of Arts Degree in Latin American Studies. She completed the degree from the University of California at Los Angeles... read more

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Huichol shamanic art by Dr. Thomas Pinkson

The Huichol People of central Mexico still follow the age-old shamanic ways of their ancestors, an unbroken wisdom-bridge stretching back into the Paleolithic. The mara'akame, the shaman, still leads p... read more

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Huichol Indians: their art and symbols by Angela Corelis

Deer and wolves that speak to man, arrows that carry prayers, serpents that bring rain or impart skill in embroidery, pumas that are messengers of the Gods — are all real in the Huichol beli... read more

art culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

Huichol literature by Glenn Welker

"The Earth is sick and dying. The lands of the Huichol Indians, hidden high in the remote Sierra Madre mountains of northwestern Mexico, are dying. The forests are shrinking, water is b... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

20 years visiting the Huichols by Tom Meyers

High in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains of Mexico, northwest of Guadalajara, the Huichol Indians live in small villages called ranchos scattered throughout this remote, rugged terrain. They integ... read more

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Mexico's Huichol resource page: their culture, symbolism, art

Our guide to the Huichol people of Mexico: their culture, history and extraordinary art read more

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The Huichols: a culture in transition by Susana Eger (Valdez)

A Message From Susana Eger Valadez, Director, The Huichol Center For Cultural Survival And Traditional Arts Dear Friends on the Internet: Thank you for your clicking on us to find out about t... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

Huichol links

These links were compiled from several search engines. If you know of a Web site not listed here, particularly those sites with information about Huichol culture, please let us know. Huichol and Cor... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

Guadalupe and the way of the Huichol by Anne Paule Picker

The Huichol way is the way of the Heart. Of utmost importance to the awakening and development of the heart is the sacred Peyote. Peyote looks like a cactus and grows wild in the desert. It has been us... read more

culture-customs huichol indigenous-groups

Sliced Iguana: Travels in Unknown Mexico by Isabella Tree Reviewed by Allan Cogan

Isabella Tree tells about her solitary travels to various parts of Mexico. Is this becoming a sort of literary sub-category - single ladies taking on the world? This book largely consists of a half dozen essays covering specific geographic areas that Ms. Tree visited, including Mexico City, Chiapas and Lake Pátzcuaro. My own personal favorite was "Holy Week," the one on San Miguel de Allende. read more

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In a Village Far from Home by Catherine Palmer Finerty Reviewed by Allan Cogan

While living in Guadalajara, Ms. Finerty became acquainted with some Franciscan priests and also with some Huichol Indians who were associated with the Franciscans. Eventually she was invited to visit a Huichol village about a thirty minute flight from Tepic, high in the Sierras in Western Mexico. The only other way to reach this community - Jesús María - was by taking an eight day mule ride. The village wasn't even marked on the map. read more

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Huichol Art by Rita Pomade

One of the perks of living at Lakeside is the ubiquitous exposure to the religious art of the Huichol people. The artwork, so vibrant in color and rich in symbolism, effortlessly draws the viewer into ... read more

art huichol indigenous-groups

The Obsidian Butterfly by Erin Cassin

"The Nawatl art is creating archetypes, in the Jungian sense, awakening unconsciously the common roots of the artist and the viewer." Huitzilopotztli Never have I ... read more

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Traveling exhibit offers portal into Huichol world by Erin Cassin

The Huichols are one of the four indigenous groups that reside in the region known as the Gran Nayar, located in the southern part of the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains. The Huichols call themselves... read more

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