The Huichol are an indigenous people who live in the Sierra Madre Occidental Mountains of western Mexico about 200 miles southeast of the city of Mazatlán. The Huichol successfully resisted the Spanish conquerors for many years due to the rugged, remote land in which they lived. Unlike almost all Mexican tribal peoples, the Huichol clung to their folk religion and did not accept Roman Catholicism of the Spanish. A whole Bible became available in 2020 in the Huichol's native language of Huichol.
Over 5000 of them have migrated to the Chicago area of the USA. Coming to the USA, the Huichol have had to change their traditional lifestyle.
The first priority of the Huichol arriving in the USA is obtaining shelter and food. Next, they learn English and put their children in schools. The jobs available to the Huichol tend to be ones that do not require a high level of education such as working in factories, as domestics, in restaurants and gardening. As their children learn English and gain new job skills their economic position will improve. Living in America, the Huichol want to be model citizens and at the same time preserve their traditional language and culture. Time will tell if the Huichol are able to retain their traditions and customs in their new home.
Today the Huichol provide for themselves by growing and raising their own food, and extended Huichol families live together in rancho settlements.
In Mexico the Huichol are animists and ancestor worshippers. Village shamans play a big role in the religious and physical lives of the people. These shamans connect the Huichol to the spiritual world and act as medical doctors. It is doubtful that the Huichol in the USA will give the shaman the same important position as the Huichol of Chicago gain access to modern medicine.
Believers can reach out and help meet the spiritual, social and physical need of the newly arrived Huichol. The Huichol will need much help integrating into modern society. Most of the Huichol need to see that only Jesus can forgive their sins and release them from their fear of evil spirits.
Pray that the leaders of the Huichol community in the USA are open to the claims of Jesus Christ. Pray the Lord moves believers to help meet the needs of the Huichol. Ask God to raise up faithful pastors and Bible teachers to train the Huichol in the ways of the Lord. Pray for a disciple making movement to begin among the Huichol of Chicago and Mexico.
Scripture Prayers for the Huichol in United States.
| Profile Source: Joshua Project |
