The Huichol Indians of west central Mexico have their homeland deep in the barrancas of the Sierra Madre Mountains. Today, they can be found in the states of Jalisco, Nayarit, Durango and Zacatecas. Historically living remotely as subsistence farmers, the Huichol are a spiritual people whose ceremonies and rituals form the center core of their lives.

Throughout history and despite the dramatic shrinkage of their homeland, these Indians have managed to blend the outside influences that have intruded upon them into their culture, remaining distinctively Huichol.

In recent years, there has been a new phenomena among the Huichol population, the "urban" Huichol. The Huichol who live in and around urban communities do so primarily because of the advantage this affords them in selling their art. Most urban Huichol go back to their mountain homeland frequently because of strong cultural ties to their ancestral way of life. Some, having achieved teaching certificates, go back to educate the primary age children who speak only the Huichol language. The sale of their art enables the Huichol Indians to keep one foot firmly entrenched in the culture and tradition of their religion while the other strides forward into the 21st Century.

These "urban" Huichol Indians live primarily in Huichol-only villages around cities where they continue to observe their ancient religious practices and culture. Many prefer to wear their colorful native dress rather than modern clothing. Living in these tight-knit communities enables them to keep their indigenous identity. By the creation of their art, they are continually living their culture and communicating it to their families and others.

Other than sales of their art, the only economic means afforded these people outside their homeland requires backbreaking farm labor in maize, bean and tobacco fields where they are exposed to unhealthy chemicals, low pay and uncertain employment.

Before the Conquistadores and missionaries came to Mexico from Europe, the Huichol were practicing the art which preceded the beadwork they are most noted for today. Hollowing out bowls from gourds, the Indians spread a thin layer of beeswax and pine pitch in the bottom, then pressed in seeds, shells and stones to form religiously significant designs. These offering bowls were used as containers for items offered to the gods. When the Franciscans and Jesuits arrived, bringing glass beads as trade items, the art form expanded to include different media and vibrant colors. This was the genesis of the broad expanse of beautiful beaded items being created today.

The Huichol's other well-known art form, yarn paintings, originated with "nierikas", small round or square offerings made of wood or paper board. One or both sides were covered in wax; fibers were pressed in symbolizing whatever the shaman was requesting from the gods. These magical little tablets are still found in remote Huichol sacred places. In the mid-twentieth century, Huichol shaman began interpreting their visions by creating much larger yarn paintings which tell the stories of their religion in the same manner in order to share them with the rest of the world.

The Indian artists with whom we work are creative, talented people who, in addition to the traditional pieces they fashion, combine contemporary base materials with their ancient art process. They express their recognizable religious designs and symbols on a variety of media. This creates new markets for their work, enabling them to reach art lovers who might not otherwise be exposed to its beauty. The result of this has been the improvement of their economic living conditions with better housing, more healthful living and better health and educational opportunities for their children.

In addition, the Huichol who create and sell this art as representative of their culture, increasing awareness of what makes the Huichol people unique, actively benefit their tribesmen as more of the world learns of their lives and history-and demand for their art increases.

Your purchase of Huichol Indian art enables these people to preserve their traditions as they move forward into the new century. Thank you for your interest and support.