|
Scorpions or Tortukas - Huichol Indian Beaded Art - Things To Do In and Around Cancun |
|
|
|
Scorpions or Tortukas are held in awe and dread. One of the most deadly species of scorpions in the world can be found in the Sierra del Nayarit. In spite of the fact that many Huichol die yearly of scorpion bites, the scorpion is respected as a protector against evil and bad luck. Gila Monsters or Eemuukwee are believed to be endowed with magical healing powers. A piece of this reptile's tail is often seen in a Shaman's medicine basket. |
|
"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 belief system. "Huichol (pronounced Wettchol)", according to Norwegian explorer Carl Lumholtz "is a corruption of the word Vishalika or Virarika, that the Huichols call themselves, the word signifying "doctor or healer', a name they fully deserve as about one-fourth of the men are shamans."
The Huichol Indians live in virtually inaccessible areas of the states of Nayarit and Jalisco, straddling the Sierra Madre Occidental in an inhospitable region of about 15,000 square miles in scattered kinship settlements (ranchos).
In the past thirty years, about four thousand Huichols have migrated to cities, primarily Tepic, Nayarit, Guadalajara and Mexico City. It is these "citified' Huichols who, because of the need for money, have drawn attention to their rich culture through their art. The Huichols have only an oral tradition and no written language (thus the many differing spellings of Huichol words). "Through their artwork, the Huichol Indians encode and document their spiritual knowledge." notes Susana Eger Valadez in 'Huichol Indian Sacred Art'. In their artwork the Huichol express their deepest religious feelings and beliefs acquired through a lifetime of participation in ceremonies and rites."
Exerpted from
Huichol
Indians, Their Art & Symbols
by Ancela Corelis
Learn more about the Huicols from these Web sites:• Huichol Indian Sacred Rituals
• People of the Peyote : Huichol Indian History, Religion, & Survival
• Huichol Shamanic Emblems : Sacred Origins of the Yarn Paintings
• The Tree That Rains: The Flood Myth of the Huichol Indians of Mexico
• Flowers of Wiricuta
• So Sings The Blue Deer!
• Peyote Hunt : The Sacred Journey of the Huichol Indians
• Watakame's Journey : The Story of the Great Flood and the New World
• The Huichol of Mexico: Their Culture, Symbolism, and Art
• The Huichol Center for Cultural Survival
• Learn more about Huichol Culture
| More Things To To In and Around Cancun |
| Culture |
| Nature |
| Shopping |
| Dining |
 La Casa de Las Margaritas |
 Bogart's* |
 Captain's Cove |
 La Destileria |
 |
 The Blue Parrot in Playa del Carmen |
| Getting Around |
| Spas In and Around Cancun |
|
The
Hotel Zone in Cancun • Ritz-Carlton Cancun • Le Meridien Cancun Resort & Spa • The Royal Sands Puerto Morelos • Ceiba del Mar • Thalasso Center at Paraiso de la Bonita • Paradisus Riviera Cancun Other • The Salon Spa at the Cancun Airport • Spas in Cancun • Spas in Mexico |
| Cancun Resources |
| • Cancun.info |
Photos copyright 2002, Julie
Register
Licensed to About.com
unless marked * which are courtesy Cancun Visitor's Bureau and Bogart's
|
Let Your Voice Be Heard! Vote in the Spa Site Polls Share your spa experiences in Mexico on the Spa
Site Forum in the Like this article? Want to read more? Check out the Previous Features |