The Art of Xitaima - Lucía Lemus de la Cruz

Regenerative agriculture expert Gerardo Ruiz Smith, right, is passionate about bringing back keystone species like the giant mesquite that the group stood under as he shared stories and expertise. (Diana Negrín photo)

Semillas de agroecología en Wirikuta

Telephoto view of the Pagan temples and official buildings at Las Latas taken during the Peyote Fiesta in the latter part of May, 1938. In the center may be seen large öllas" of sacred deer-broth around which are seated the officials of the fiesta. The large circular building at the right if the "Temple of Grandfather Fire", called the caliwéi" by the Huichols. The very small circular structure this side of the "caliwéi" represents a cave which is found at the base of a high precipice (considered sacred) two days' travel to the north of Las Latas.

Beginning at the left foreground, the second, third and fourth buildings respectively (facing the patio) are the "Temple to the God of the Air" (ecá'téiwari xirikieaya), "Temple to Our Elder Brother"(Tamatsie xirikieya) and "Temple to Our Father Sun"(taýau xirikieya). All other buildings are used as provisional homes for the officials and others during the fiesta.

Kieruwit+a (Las Latas), Photograph: Edwin F. Myers 1938, Photo #N304033, Courtesy of the Peabody Museum, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. ~ Copyright ©President & Fellows of Harvard College 1985 ~ All Rights Reserved

Photographs by Edwin Forgan Myers ~ 1938