Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
Northern Mexico
Central Mexico
THE HUICHOL FOLK ART CREATIONS ARE ADMIRE ALL OVER THE WORLD
The ethnic groups that live in Nayarit - Coras, Huicholes, Tepehuanos, Mexicaneros - have contributed with their traditions and creativity to create an enormous variety of handicrafts of great artistic value. These works are almost always linked to his religion, so you can see their deities: the sun, the moon, the morning star, fire and rain, among others.
One of the most used elements are the "Eyes of God" or "Tzicuri", a figure that consists of a set of five rhombuses based on wood crosses woven with colorful and multiple colors, and that is usually made by the parents to protect a child and it is also part of a ritual that includes the first five years of the child.
The Huichols also make yarn paintings as a continuation of a variety of ritual arts long practiced by this ethnic group. They are also known as "Nierika", with figures of yarn that are attached, forming ideograms to communicate with the deities.
Other Huichol crafts are the hunting arrows, the ceremonial arrow and the Chamanica or "Muwieri" arrow. The first one is covered almost entirely with thread, and it carries some feathers that possess mysterious powers, it is considered an important object in the clothing of the Chaman or Marakame.
The musical instruments made with rustic woods such as the violin, the guitar, the drum or "tepo", the rattle or "jaisa", the reed flute and the horn are used in the "Tatei parties" and the "Pachitas", because its sound is produced in the voice of God, the horn is used in the festivity of "Hikuri" or "Peyote".
The masks are used in festivities and religious ceremonies such as "Cora Carnival", a festival that lasts until the " Cora Holy Week". These colorful masks refer to the head of the deer and demons.
The jícara or "Rukeke", also have a religious intention and have wax attached to the bottom presenting elusive figures for communicating with deities.
Folk Art in Nayarit
Handicrafts in Acaponeta
Handicrafts in Compostela
In this town, the manual elaboration of cigars is a tradition that goes back many years.
You can also buy saddlery products such as saddles, forges and covers, among others.
In Compostela, as in many other places in Nayarit, you can find colorful and attractive Huichol handicrafts, including rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, hats, huaraches, and some decorative pieces.You can also buy saddlery products.
Handicrafts in El Nayar
Handicrafts in Huajicori
Handicrafts in Ixtlán del Río
It is a very important town in artisanal production. You can find blown glass, pottery, colonial furniture, palm weaving, wood carving, colonial blacksmithing, and huaraches (sandals).
Of course, you will also find the typical Huichol crafts with their original and colorful designs in jewelry and decorative items.
Handicrafts in Jala
In this Magical Town you can buy jars, pots and huaraches, as well as chairs, beds and tables of wood and palm.
One of the most important craft in Jala is basketry. Here you will find pots, jars, fans and baskets made out of the reed and the otate.
They also make beautiful pine leaf handicrafts such as hats, baskets, bags, tortilla holders and other decorative products. This activity has been inherited from generation to generation, changing only some designs.
Handicrafts in La Yesca
In this town you will find the original costumes of the Huichol. His wardrobe consists of a blanket richly embroidered with colored thread and generally representing birds, deer, geometric flowers, corn, peyote, fire and sun, all with a deep religious significance. The ornamentation of their costumes is made of colorful stamens, wool threads and beads.
The men and women elaborate and wear beaded rings, earrings and bracelets, backpacks, belts and different garments based on white, black and brown wool.
Handicrafts in Mexcaltitán
Mexcaltitán is known for its unique handicrafts made from mangroves and barcinas, spheres created from manta fabric (a feather-light, gauze-like fabric, made from 100% cotton) and palm leaves and used to preserve dried shrimp.
Another product that is used to create handicrafts is the water lily, which is something positive, since the lily has become a problem for the estuaries and riverbanks of Nayarit because it prevents fishing and this plant has come to be used in a positive way.
Bags, sandals, fans, tortilla makers, jewelry, lamps and hats, among others, are made with the lilies.
Handicrafts in Riviera Nayarit
Huichol crafts are one of the most representative of Mexican culture and Nayarit is the cradle of these pieces. Throughout all Riviera Nayarit, these amazing works can be found in specialized galleries, shops and craft markets. The Huichol crafts characterized by vibrant colors and unique shapes to convey part of the cosmogony and myths of this indigenous community. They called themselves Wixarika people, and is a Mexican native community that is settled in the area of the Sierra Madre Mountains.
The versatility in the designs have served as a source of inspiration for the local fashion industry and the interior design of some prestigious resorts in this destination. You will also find colorful clothes, embroidered fabrics, feathered hats, incredible masks, yarn paintings and unique jewelry made from colored beads.
God’s eye or “Tzicuri” is one of the most iconic elements of the Huichol culture and is made of 5 diamonds of various woven colors one around the other. It is used as protection and is given by parents to their children during their first 5 years of life.
There are 10 craft markets in different destinations. Almost all of them are outdoors and offer a wide variety of artisan products. So you can visit the markets of Lo de Marcos (Tianguis Lo de Marcos), Nuevo Vallarta (Tianguis Artesanal), Bucerías (Monday Market), La Cruz de Huanacaxtle (La Cruz Market), Sayulita (Mercado del Pueblo), San Pancho (Mercado del Sol), Nuevo Vallarta (Riviera Farmer's Market), Rincón de Guayabitos (Guayabitos Market), La Peñita de Jaltemba (La Peñita Market) and Chacala (Chacala Cultural Market).