The Huicholes, who are they?



Photo by Alejandro Piedra Buena



The Huichol or Wixáritari are an indigenous ethnic group of western central Mexico, living in the Sierra Madre Occidental range in the Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Zacatecas, and Durango. They are best known Huichol, however, they refer to themselves as Wixáritari “the people” in their native language. The adjectival form of Wixáritari and name for their own language is Wixárika.

The craftsmanship of the Huichol includes embroidery, beadwork (in Mexico is known as chaquira), hats, archery equipment, and weaving, as well as “cuchuries”, woven or embroidered bags.