Some Huichol Myths and Folklore.

The Huicholes have no word for god or gods. Their divine beings are known in terms of parentage like great grandfather, mothers, elder sister, etc. The principal being Tatewari, our grandfather- the fire deity, and first mara-akame, or shaman of the Huicholes. Tatewari led the first peyote hunt to Wirikuta and acted as tutor of the most important person in Huichol culture, the mara-akame. His animal companion and helper is kauyumarie, the sacred deer person, who is animal, person and semi-god all at the same time.

This is a nearika yarn painting which is offered to the sun deity. In the center is the sun with its rays and igneous sparks that the mara-akame must cope with when he climbs the celestial sphere searching for the cristalized rock that the Huicholes consider the soul of a deceased shaman who acts as guardian of the mara-akame and his people. Around the sun there are various symbols that correspond to rituals and old Huichol traditions. To the left in green, watakame, the forest clearer, in the canoe that he and his dog used to escape when the great flood destroyed the world; once the waters receded, the dog transformed into a girl as watakame's skin was burnt. Under the canoe is a snake which symbolizes water. Above, in blue, the sacred deer, a manifestation of the elder sister kauyumarie, the spirit that helps the mara-akame. Above in the center, the snake with two heads that symbolizes Tatei Werika Uimari, Our Mother Eagle Girl. Facing the blue deer is another manifestation of kauyumarie. Underneath is the corn plant with the girl who keeps the sacred instruments in the divine house of the sun, symbolized by the gourd for the holy purifying water. A red votive arrow and a white candle.