German Language Centre

Mexico is a country rich with culture, tradition and ethnic diversity. Many people think of Mexicans as a single group of people, but the are many Native American tribes still active in the country. In fact, there are over 60 unique ethnic groups throughout Mexico. The south of Mexico was also once a part of the Mayan civilization.

One of the many ethnic groups of Mexico is the Huichol, or Wixaritari people (as they refer to themselves). The Huichol live in the scenic Sierra Madre Occidental range of mountains, which crosses the states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecs and Durango in the western central region of Mexico. It is claimed by the Huichol that they originally came from the state of San Luis Potosi, but eventually migrated westward to the area of the Sierra Madre Occidental range they now inhabit.

The language of the Huichol belongs to the Uto-Aztecan language family, which is indigenous to Mexico. In 2003, the language of the Huichol, and all the other indigenous languages of Mexico, became recognized, along with Spanish, as national languages. There are now 68 recognized distinct languages in Mexico.

Artwork is very important to the Huicol and they are known to sell their unique crafts in coastal cities such as Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, which lie below their mountain homes. Some of the more common crafts sold by the Huicol are sombreros, archery equipment, prayer arrows, woven, beaded and embroidered goods. There is an amazing, if not overwhelming, selection to choose from.

Much of their art work, along with their customs and religious practices, is influenced by the use of the hallucinogen, Peyote. Every year a pilgrimage is made by the Huicol to Wirikuta, to collect peyote. Along the way they pass by the sacred springs of Tatei Matinieri, which translates into, "where our mother lives". The peyote is then used in their many religious rituals that include singing, weeping and communication with the spirits of ancestors.

The most visible signs of the effect of peyote on the Huicol, is in their art work. The paintings, yarn paintings and bead work are rich with psychedelic imagery and often include an artistic representation of the peyote buttons inside the plant. The beaded work of the Huicol is a recent development and uses modern materials such as glass, plastic or metal beads in very intricate designs. The bead work often takes the form of jaguar heads or eggs, but can also be found in a wide variety of other forms.

The future of the Huichol could be in danger, as their traditional lands are coming under the eyes of multinational companies looking to develop resources in Mexico. Steps are being taken by groups such as the United Nations Education and Scientific and Cultural Organization to designate their land as protected in an effort to preserve the Huicols cultural traditions. The Huicols are also looking to other groups for help in their efforts to conserve their land and culture.