Photo taken by Shawna Stanley

Who are the Wixarika? 

Also known as the Huicholes, are from the Western Sierra Madre Occidental range in central Mexico. They are one of the only indigenous nations that have not been colonized and have been able to maintain their rich culture that includes many ancient rituals. Some say they have been working with the plant spirit of hikuri for over 5,000 years. 

Their culture is incredibly rich and they are exquisite embodiments of prayer in action. Their yearly calendar is based around festivities, pilgrimages and rituals that bring the entire community together to uplift the heart of the village. 

Who is Kauyumari? 

Tamatzi Kauyuari is the spirit of the blue deer that originally came to the elders of the Wixarika nation in their dreams and guided them to hunt him. 

Kauyumari guided them to Wirikuta and when the tribesmen’s arrows hit him he exploded into millions of Peyote buttons that scattered themselves throughout the desert. 

The mara’akame (shaman) invokes the spirit of Kauyumari from the beginning of the ceremony and they work their magic through his spirit. 

What to Expect?

• This is an all night ceremony sitting outside around the fire.

• The ceremony will begin around 9:00pm and close around 7:00am.

• We’ll then share a nourishing meal around 6:00pm and enjoy the river together!

There will be 5 songs sang by the mara’akame through the night followed by copal cleansing- in between these songs the participants have their opportunity to sing, pray, and connect with Tatewari, the spirit of the fire.

Don Eugenio’s brother will be accompanying him and he is a carrier of one of their cultures most sacred instruments , the xaweri, it’s like a violin. This calls forth the spirit of dance to the ceremony and brings a very joyous vibration.

This time & these ceremonies are based around community, spirit, connection, healing of the physical body and opening of the heart.

Other Information:

• Children are welcome & we will set up an area with tents near the ceremonial space for them to join us in the morning.

• There will be a maximum of 50 people present for this night & registration is “first come, first serve”.