Huichol

The Huichol people are a Nahuatl speaking indigenous tribe of approximately twenty five thousand who live in a largely inaccessible region of the Sierras of central Mexico. The Wixa’rika, the name they call themselves, live primarily within the states of Nayarit and Jalisco although many have migrated to other areas of Mexico and even to the United States. These extraordinary people have managed to preserve their ancient pre-Christian culture for over four hundred and seventy five years after the Spanish defeated the Aztecs in their take over of Mexico. The Huichols continue to live their lives spiritually according to an immense body of knowledge passed down orally from generation to generation since prerecorded history

The Huichols are a shamanic culture following the powers of nature and making pilgrimages to their sacred sites a great distance away. While they have been successful preserving these traditions they are currently under pressure from the modern culture that has interrupted their pilgrimage routes and threatened their sacred sites through development and commercial enterprises.

They belong to a select few indigenous tribes worldwide whose shamanic knowledge of plants, healing practices, relationship with the earth, and techniques to harness power and perform miracles remains intact. Preserving their knowledge and practice is of utmost importance should we wish to inherit their unique gifts to humankind.

Pilgrimage Project:

Support native Huichols in a pilgrimage to their sacred mountains and sites. CSEE proposes to help several elderly Huichol Indians, who live in an isolated part of Mexico, make a pilgrimage for their first time to their sacred lands and sites.  This trip supports their culture and the ways in which they receive knowledge.  In helping to preserve these traditions, this knowledge is more available to be shared with us.

The cost to send one Huichol to their holy land is $250.  This includes transportation and all other expense for 4 days.