| The Huichol Indians (pronounced "Wee-chol") | | | | religious beliefs. Their colorful clothing is |
| are an indigenous tribe of traditional people | | | | said to give pleasure to their divinities, |
| living in western central Mexico, in the | | | | ensuring the kindness of the deities and |
| states of Jalisco and Nayarit. Many live in | | | | protection of the people. The Huichol men |
| small scattered settlements high in the | | | | wear elaborately embroidered muslin pants, a |
| Sierra Madre Mountains. Because of the | | | | long tunic that is wrapped around the waist |
| extreme remoteness of this rugged mountain | | | | and held in place by a hand-woven belt, and a |
| area, the Huichol were not conquered by the | | | | kerchief which may be embroidered or can be |
| Spaniards, nor greatly changed by Mexican | | | | made from a combination of embroidery and |
| culture. They remain one of the last tribes | | | | felt. Hand-woven and embroidered bags are |
| in North America still living much as they | | | | often worn, and during ceremonies a large hat |
| did in pre-Columbian times, maintaining many | | | | with feathers may be worn as well. Huichol |
| of their ageless rituals and beliefs. Today | | | | women typically wear delicately embroidered |
| it is estimated there are only about 10,000 | | | | peasant dresses. |
| Huichol Indians still in existence. | | | | |
| | | | The Huichol are a highly creative people and |
| The Huichol believe themselves to be "mirrors | | | | reflect their strong ceremonial traditions |
| of the gods" and try to reflect a sacred | | | | and rich mythology in their visionary art |
| vision of the world, both physically and | | | | work. These visions are often inspired by |
| spiritually. To the Huichol, everything is | | | | their peyote god whose divine gift enables |
| alive and has a soul (called kupuri) and is | | | | them to communicate with all the gods. These |
| therefore divine. They are a deeply religious | | | | mystical experiences can only be told by the |
| people and worship multiple deities. They | | | | shamans, but all are encouraged to express |
| make offerings and prayers to assure the | | | | them in their art and offerings. Through |
| protection and goodwill of these deities. | | | | their artwork, whether it be beaded art |
| | | | (chaquira) or yarn painting (nierika), the |
| The Huichol Indian tribe sees dress as | | | | Huichol encode and document their spiritual |
| another important way of expressing their | | | | knowledge. |