Huichol Indians/ Wixáritari of Mexico

Many Wixáritari (Wixárika singl.),[ the term these indigenous people use to refer to themselves as a distinct cultural group,] inhabit a remote area of the Sierra Madre Occidental in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Zacatecas and Durango. They number over 20,000 and are one of the few indigenous groups to have maintained a large corpus of native traditions typical of ancient Mesoamerican culture. Wixáritari have never been completely isolated; throughout history they have had contact and interactions with other indigenous groups and more recently with Westerners. The current incursion of outsiders into their homelands seriously threatens their political autonomy and the security of their land holdings and natural resources, as well as their economic and physical survival.

The following private, non-profit, non-religious organizations have years of experience working to help empower Wixáritari:

The Huichol Center for Cultural Survival and the Traditional Arts
The World Trade Center
2200 Alaskan Way, Suite 110
Seattle, WA 98121-1684
tel: (206) 374-0571
FAX: (206) 374-0652

In Mexico the Center is called:
The Huichol Center, Huejuquilla
Director Susana Valadez
Calle Victoria #24
Huejuquilla el Alto, Jalisco, Mexico
tel/FAX: [011-52] (498) 3-70-54
http://www.huicholcenter.com

AICAW- Asociación para la Investigación, Capitación y Asistencía Wixárica (Association for the Investigation, Training and Assistance for Wixárica)

in combination with:
Casa de Salud Wixárica
(Health Facility for Wixárica)
Director, Rocío Echeverría
Calle Jesus 700
Sector Hidalgo
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
tel/FAX: [011-52] (3) 826-6103

AJAGI- Asociación Jaliscience de Apoyo a Grupos Indigenas, AC (The Jalisco Association for Aid to Indigenous Groups)
Director, Carlos Chavez
Calle Jesus 707
Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
tel/FAX: [011-52] (3) 825-5920
http://redtat.org.mx/organismos/ajagi.html

Investigator Patricía Díaz Romo has been researching insecticides and their danger to the health of the Wixáritari and other people who are in direct contact with these toxic chemicals.

To obtain a copy of her award winning 1994 video, "Huichols and Pesticides" contact:
Pesticide Action Network- North America (San Francisco)
http://www.panna.org

Home Classes Textiles Design Archive
Natural Dye Project Scorpions Peyote

Wixárika Rancho. c. Stacy Scaefer

Peyoteros at traditional temple. c. Stacy Schaefer

Sacred corn and offerings.
c Stacy Schaefer