The Artist Women of the Wixarika or Huichol People of Mexico

The Huichol or Wixárika people are one of the 68 original populations that make up the multicultural nation called Mexico. Various foreign and Mexican researchers have considered the Huichol or Wixaritári an artist society. At the beginning they made ritual and utilitarian objects of great plastic beauty, which during the last 70 years have not ceased to have these functions. However, currently they have also undergone a commercialization process. In this article we will present the role of the Wixárika woman, whom embroideries in textiles (embroidery and fabrics) and in beaded jewelry, the main symbols and characters inspired by myths of their worldview. To contribute with the investigation of the Huichol culture and its ritual and artistic expression, we will show some cases of Wixaritári women who are artists and are also considered women of knowledge.

Read or download the Spanish-language article from Narrativas Antropológicas here.