Huichol in Mexico


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge

Introduction / History

The Huichol refer to themselves as Wixárika or simply "people." The Huichol live primarily in western Mexico in the Sierra Madre Occidental mountains. This area includes some of the most rugged terrain in Mexico. It is typified by mesas, cliffs and river valleys and is covered mostly by scrub and thorns. Historically, the rough topography of their homeland insulated them from outside influences. They held out against Spanish colonialism for many years and always maintained a high degree of self-rule. Today the Huichol are no longer as isolated and are integrating into the general Mexican society and economy.


What Are Their Lives Like?

For centuries the Huichol people have been subsistence farmers. They grow corn, beans and squash, commonly called "the three sisters." Their agricultural practices involve a slash and burn method which causes ecological problems. The land they till is not fertile so there is malnutrition and low yields. They often hunt deer and other wild game. Cattle ranching is an important part of their economy. They seldom eat the beef, but instead they consume the dairy products. They sell the cattle and lumber.
The Huichols have a complicated relationship with the Mexican government which tries to tax them and enforce Mexican law. Since the Huichols have lived autonomously for centuries, this sometimes means conflict with their way of life.


Today the Huichol provide for themselves by growing and raising their own food, and extended Huihcol families live together in rancho settlements.
What Are Their Beliefs?

Traditional Huichol religion is closely tied in with their social and political practices. They have 120 deities, one of which is Tayau, the "father sun" god. He can bring danger and misfortune if they don't obey him. An important part of traditional Huichol religion is shamanism which is tied in with peyote and a 300 mile pilgrimage to their paradise, Wirikuta. When the pilgrim reaches Wirikuta, he seeks out the peyote, eats the first piece he finds, and collects a year's supply to take home to the shaman. Huichols believe the visions that come from the peyote-induced hallucinations help the shaman to contact the gods. The shamans are able to communicate with the gods through long prayers and ceremonies. This is how they find out how to deal with practical matters like illnesses and other misfortunes.
The Huichol believe that when a person dies, his soul embarks on a five-year journey through the underworld. After the journey, the soul returns to earth and is captured by a shaman in the form of a rock crystal. The crystal is placed in the family shrine to be anointed with blood and offered food as if it were a living being.
The Roman Catholic church has made inroads into Huichol belief systems, but they typically allow for non-biblical beliefs to remain. There are efforts to take Jesus Christ to them to help free them from fear and unclean spirits that torment them.


What Are Their Needs?

Today, there is an unprecedented opportunity to reach the Huichol with the message of Jesus through groups like the Seed Company. The New Testament and the JESUS Film are available to the Huichols. The Huichol need much prayer and additional laborers to work with them so they may have adequate access to the message of Jesus.


Prayer Points

Pray that current mission efforts will result in spiritual blessings for the Huichols so they will be free from wicked spirits. Pray for power encounters that will convince the Huichol people that they can only depend on the power and holiness of Jesus Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger that will lead Huichol leaders to the cross and the empty grave.
Pray that God will strengthen and encourage missionaries presently working among the Huichol.
Pray that God will give Huichol believers boldness to share the love of Jesus with their own people.
Pray that God will save key Huichol leaders who will boldly declare the gospel to their people.


Scripture Prayers for the Huichol in Mexico.


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Huichol
People Name in Country Huichol
Pronunciation wee-CHOHL
Alternate Names Huichol, De Nayarit Occidente; Huichol-Nayarit/Jalisco
Population this Country 61,000
Population all Countries 67,000
Total Countries 2
Indigenous Yes
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 1
PeopleID3 12141
ROP3 Code 103898
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Nayarit and Jalisco states: Cohamiata, Guadalupe Ocotán, Nayarit, San Andrés San Sebastián, Santa Catarina, and Tuxpan de Bolaños; smaller areas, Durango, southernmost tip, and western Zacatecas.   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Country Mexico
Region America, Latin
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank 37  (Open Doors top 50 rank, 1 = highest persecution ranking)
Location in Country Nayarit and Jalisco states: Cohamiata, Guadalupe Ocotán, Nayarit, San Andrés San Sebastián, Santa Catarina, and Tuxpan de Bolaños; smaller areas, Durango, southernmost tip, and western Zacatecas..   Source:  Ethnologue 2016
Map of Huichol in Mexico
Primary Religion: Ethnic Religions
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 0.40 %)
5.00 %
Ethnic Religions
90.00 %
Hinduism
0.00 %
Islam
0.00 %
Non-Religious
5.00 %
Other / Small
0.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Huichol (61,000 speakers)
Language Code hch   Ethnologue Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Huichol (61,000 speakers)
Language Code hch   Ethnologue Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Huichol
Photo Source Fernando Rosales - Wikimedia  Creative Commons 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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