THE HUICHOL TRIBE OF MEXICO

WHO ARE THE HUICHOL?

The Huichol Indians are a small tribe of approximately 35,000 living in central western Mexico near Ixtlan in the Sierra Madre Mountains. Their rugged environment has protected them from cultural intrusion for hundreds of years, and are said to be the last tribe in North America to have maintained their pre-Columbian traditions.

The Huichol way of life continues today much as it has for thousands of years. Still without electricity or running water, the Huichol people rely on their relationship with nature to sustain their communities.

THE HUICHOL COMMUNITY

As individuals, as a family and together as a tribe, the Huichol focus on the simple and yet very intricate task of keeping the balance of nature. They strive to be a part of all of life, not to be disconnected from or distracted from the ancient energies of the earth, but to be a part of this flowing force and in this way to be at peace.

Women gather water together from mountain springs, while men gather firewood used by the women to prepare the cooked meals. Together, the men work the fields and fish the streams, while the women create the sacred artwork, jewelry, bags, and clothing. Every aspect of daily life in intertwined with community. Never does a Huichol act alone; instead, every struggle and every prosperity is shared. No one is alone; all are together in their way of life. One with Nature.

THE HUICHOL CEREMONIAL TRADITION

The Huichol way of life is rich with ceremonial practices. There are specific ceremonies for the four seasons, which are intended to bring balance and harmony to each individual, the community and all of life.

The ceremonies are a time for the people to come together and focus on the spirit world, this normally hidden universe that runs parallel to our world. The shamans work to bridge these two worlds in order to bring “kupuri” or life force into the bodies and souls of the people. They say that this, in turn, imparts good health and good luck to all.

THE HUICHOL FOUNDATION

Brant Secunda and his son, Nico Secunda, founded the Huichol Foundation, an international organization (501c3 non-profit) dedicated to the cultural, environmental, and economic survival of the indigenous Huichol people.

The foundation is committed to preserving and promoting the Huichol people (VIRARICA) and their indigenous lifestyle, culture, and traditions. Its mission is to support, sustain and inspire the Huichol culture, within their villages and around the globe.

The Foundation and its members are working on numerous large-scale and long-term projects. Learn more by visiting www.HuicholFoundation.org

SUPPORTING THE HUICHOL TRIBE

Brant Secunda works with several villages to provide economic solutions, which allow the Huichol people to remain on their land, sustain their traditional way of life, and conduct their ceremonies. Brant Secunda strives to provide the Huichols with a consistent market and the materials needed to produce their sacred artwork.

Huichol art is a visual library, which records the history and ancient cosmology of their oral tradition. The foundation markets the artwork in galleries and at seminars in the United States and Europe. Brant Secunda shares Huichol traditions with people worldwide and initiates projects to preserve Huichol culture.

For over two decades, the Dance of the Deer Foundation has documented Huichol culture on film, video, and audio in an ongoing effort to archive the material in books and in a Huichol museum for future generations. With one video already completed and released, Brant plans to edit footage for a second video and to complete various audio archives of Huichol folk music.

Brant Secunda has dedicated his life towards preserving the Huichol tradition as a living culture by working to integrate the ancient tools of shamanism into the modern world.

Members of the international medical, religious, and educational communities, including the World Health Organization, have recognized Brant’s commitment—as well as his knowledge—by inviting him to be featured speaker, workshop leader, and participant at various conferences worldwide. Moreover, Brant Secunda has created and maintains a working model for preserving Huichol culture through the auspices of the Dance of the Deer Foundation Center for Shamanic Studies.

THE HUICHOL TRIBE OF MEXICO

WHO ARE THE HUICHOL?

THE HUICHOL COMMUNITY

THE HUICHOL CEREMONIAL TRADITION

THE HUICHOL FOUNDATION

SUPPORTING THE HUICHOL TRIBE

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