- The 5 main members of the Huichol social organization
- 1- Mara'akame
- 2- Matewame
- 3- Kawitero
- 4- Taotani
- 5- Topil
- Religious beliefs
- References
The Huichol social organization is governed by a series of officers who rotate in annual ceremonies. It is a very closed community, so they do not allow the settlement of mestizos in their territory
The term "Huichol" is considered derogatory by the members of this culture, and they prefer to be called wiiráika, which is how they call themselves. The Wirráika people are one of the few who have maintained their identity to some degree after the conquest of Mexico by the Spanish. Their culture is very ritualistic and the social system revolves around these rituals.
The 5 main members of the Huichol social organization
1- Mara'akame
The mara'akame, which is translated into Spanish as "the one who knows," is the highest-ranking governor.
His position is linked to a life of learning and knowledge inherited from the mara'akame who preceded him.
In turn, he is in charge of guiding the new shamans on the path of knowledge to keep the lineage alive.
2- Matewame
The apprentices or new shamans are known as matewame, which in Spanish means "the one who will know."
3- Kawitero
The elderly are called kawiteros. They are people who have knowledge of the traditions of the culture and are the most respected members of the community.
The Kawiteros are responsible for electing the members of the traditional government, which rotates every year in ceremonies in which "rods of power" are exchanged, so that power is rotating.
4- Taotani
Play an important role in community decision-making. It is part of the government, as well as delegates, a judge and a mayor.
5- Topil
Topiles fulfill the orders of a captain and their function is a hybrid between policeman and messenger.
Religious beliefs
The Huichols worship four deities: eagles, deer, corn, and peyote. Her vision of an almighty god differs from the Catholic because her god is not limited to being the creator of the universe, but is part of it.
Hikuri or peyote, is a channel and at the same time a medicine for diseases of the body and soul, and is considered an inexhaustible source of healing, energy and wisdom.
Near San Luis Potosí is the Cerro del Quemado, a Huichol ceremonial hill. It is divided into an area for men and one for women, and they use dance and music to interact socially, perform religious rituals, and communicate with deities.
The communities of the Wixarika people live through work cooperatives and feed almost exclusively on what they sow and hunt.
By choice they live free of electricity and with little contact with the modern world. They claim that this way of life has helped them preserve their traditions.
References
- The Huicholes: Undamaged culture through time vallarta.com.mx
- History of Mexico - Huicholes historia-mexico.info
- Cultures of the Earth - Los Huicholes culturesdelatierra.blogspot.com
- Huichol Handcrafts - Social organization of the Huichol handcraftshuichol.com
- UNAM Foundation - Huicholes fundacionunam.org.mx
- Wikipedia - Huichol en.wikipedia.org