nomadsally: Visit to a Huichol Hamlet near Tepic, Mexico

THE HUICHOL

Huichol Beaded Mask

Faustino was one of the first Huichol people that I became aware of as he walked along the Chacala beach selling beautiful beaded jewelry and yarn art. He definitely stood out wearing white pants and shirt covered with brilliant colored embroidery.

Beaded Bracelets

I found out that most of the 18,000 Huichol live in the sierra of Jalisco (Puerto Vallarta) and Nayarit (Chacala). They survived the Spanish Invasion and are trying very hard to keep their culture alive and viable, in spite of the encroachment of Mexican neighbors. Their artwork seems to reflect a reverent and symbiotic relationship with nature.

Tawexikta, Our Destination

We were able to find a way to visit Tawexikta, a Huichol Village, a journey of 3 hours into the Sierra MadreMountains. En route we saw many fields of sugar cane, one of the main crops of the Compostela region. Passing through the Nayarit State Capital, Tepic, was a group of Huichol women wearing their colorful skirts and blouses. After a 15 minute reservoir crossing (Dam Aguamilpa), we arrived at the desert-like hillside of our destination.

Arrival in Village

Walking up the steep hillside was a struggle in the extreme heat of the day. It felt good to reach the cool comfortable shelter, drink water, meet Anna, our 12 year old guide, and eat a fish and rice dinner.

Anna

Typical Summer Home

Tawexikta is a fairly new village have been settled only twenty years ago by a group of villages from a neighboring region, some four hours by foot and inland. The building of the dam with reservoir and better transportation created desire for the village change. There is an elementary school, 4 water spigots, a village store, and a community center. Also, very important to the Huichol is a small reserve for their sacred deer.