The Plight Of The Huicol

Mexico is a very ethnically diverse culture, even though there are many stereotypical images that suggest otherwise. Long before Europeans arrived there were numerous native groups and millions of people throughout Mexico and the vast Caribbean. Their art, music and culture should not be overlooked when visiting this great country.

One of the most interesting and artistic native American cultures in Mexico is that of the Huicol (who also go by the name Wixaritari). They dwell in the enormous Sierra Madre Occidental mountain range, which spans the regions of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecsand and Durango.

The Huicol society is an artistic one. It is very easy to find their vibrant art in the coastal cities that reside beneath the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. Common items for sale are usually religious arrows, archery sets, beaded art, woven goods, and sombreros. Their art is colorful and intricate, and visually very impressive.

The ingestion of the hallucinogenic peyote plant, a kind of cactus, is an important aspect of the religion of the Huicol. Images of the plant's seed pods can be found in most of their surreal art work. So much a part of their religion is peyote, that every year the Huicol undertake a religious pilgrimage to collect their annual cache of peyote 'buttons' (the part of the plant that is consumed). The eating of the peyote plant is always done in accordance with religious rites and traditions such as communicating with ancestors, singing and crying. The eating of peyote is not done in a wanton or gratuitous manner.

The future of the Huicol is very uncertain at the moment. Large multinational companies are trying to develop the Huicole's traditional homeland and peyote collecting routes as they look for new resources to extract. Individuals who wish to protect the indigenous people of Mexico, have now become concerned at the plight of the peaceful Huicol. The "Scientific and Cultural Organization" and "United Nations Education" are trying to save Huicol lands and protect them in the future from further attempts at development. The Huicol are doing their part too, by making efforts to save their lands and culture through educating those not familiar with their plight.

If you are already headed to Mexico, it would really add to the experience to visit these wonderful people and get a taste of their culture. The Huicol inhabit quite a wide region of Mexico, but two well serviced areas where they can be easily found (selling their unique crafts) are Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. If you are headed to Mexico in hopes of creating some lasting memories for yourself, then this experience is worth considering. The efforts you make to learn about their culture and the importance of its longevity will be greatly appreciated. It would be a shame to lose such and amazing people.

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