The Wixárika

WIXÁRIKA

The Healing People

The Wixárika are an indigneous tribe living in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. To this day, they have maintained their ancient spiritual and way of life. Ceremoines to honor the seasons, pilgrimages to sacred sites, and a life of connection with nature all embue their vibrant and meaningful artwork.

THE HEALING PEOPLE

"Huichol" was a term given by the Spanish, which has no known meaning. In their own language, they refer to themselves as Wixárika, which translates as “The Healing People.” Their ancient way of life continues today much as it has for thousands of years; relying on their relationship with nature to sustain their communities.

ASSIMILATION PRESSURE

Like many indigenous cultures, the Huichol are facing tremendous pressure to assimilate into modern society. The remote mountainous territory in which they live has slowed the pace of external cultural intrusion.

The Dance of the Deer Foundation has worked for over four decades to help preserve the cultural and economic survival of the Huichol tribe. Building on that support, the Huichol Foundation was founded to expand positive impacts through larger private and public grants, as well as international grassroots funding. To learn more and help support the five pillars of Huichol life: Health, Education, Culture, Art, and Environment, please visit www.HuicholFoundation.org ➔

LANGUAGE

Although the Wixárika live in the midst of a Spanish speaking country, few Mexicans can understand them! Their language is of the Uto-Aztecan family of indigenous languages. Related to the language of tribes from as far south as the Maya, to as far north as the Hopi, the Wixárika historically traded with many tribes within the region.

THE FUTURE

Today, the Wixárika (Huichol) continue to practice their ancient ceremonies and way of life, making pilgrimages to sacred places of power throughout the Sierra Madre and maintaining their ancient artistic practices to help bring their visions alive.

The future of the Wixáritari (Huichol people) is dependent on many factors, but one of the most consequential is the way in which modern societies value the knowledge and traditions of ancient indigenous cultures. Part of our mission is to help bridge the divide between the modern and ancient; to help bring awareness of the beauty and wisdom of these ancient traditions to people living in the modern world. Through this process, we hope that modern society continues to place greater value on maintaining and indeed learning from the wisdom of ancient cultures.