Huichol Art
The Welcoming of the Sacrificial Deer
Huichol Item 291
$725.
2ft. x 2ft.
Hand-twisted yarn and archival wax on board.
2006
The Welcoming of the Sacrificial Deer
Note: The border is decorated with a repeating peyote motif. This narrative takes place at the homestead of a Huichol. When a sacrificial deer has been slain and brought back to the family compound, it is given a special welcome known in Spanish as the "Bienvenida". The deer has been placed on some nylon bags. The shaman facing the deer is seen holding a peyote and muvieri. Muvieri are magic wands which the shaman uses when presiding over religious events. He is praying to the deer and offering thanks for the deer's sacrifice, so that the Huichol may continue to live, by satisfying the demands of the deities. The peyote in the shaman's hand means that he has eaten the mind altering cactus in preparation for the ceremony. Above the deer is a cup of holy water, tortillas and atole made from corn. These are being offered to the deer so that it's spirit may dine and drink. The bag in front of the shaman holds the candles, arrows, cane and other objects that will be blessed with the deer's blood. The two candles by the deer have been decorated with ribbons. The shaman's wife is seen with lit candle in one hand and sprinkling holy water onto the deer. She does this by dipping the flower into the bottleneck gourd filled with the water and shaking it over the deer. She is also seen offering an ear of corn to the deer. Once the corn has been received "spiritually eaten" by the deer and has been blessed with it's blood, it will be returned to the ririki, Huichol for temple. There is an incense burner with copal burning. This scent is pleasing to the gods and is being offered for the deer's pleasure. After the ceremony, the deer's head will be stored in the ririki or calihuey. This is a sacred building where ceremonial paraphernalia is stored when not in use. The bowl at the woman's feet will be filled with the deer's blood. The two white lines emanating from the bowl testify to its contents sacred powers. In the center we see the interior of a cut gourd bowl. A corn plant has been formed using wax. Also, five glass beads have been pressed inside. After receiving blood, it will be returned to the calihuey. Above, the three serpents represent the magical powers of the peyote. Another votive gourd is seen in the upper-left. Here figures representing a deer, candle and god's eye have been fashioned out of wax. It too will be blessed with blood and returned to the Ririki. At some later date, this and other like objects will be taken from the ririki and delivered to some sacred place as an offering. On the right we see a cloud pattern connecting to an arrow. The shaman say that arrows deposited in sacred places are converted into clouds during the rainy season. Below, on the left is a tobacco plant. The shaman uses tobacco when presiding over ceremony. Also seen is his tobacco carrying pouch with a blue strap. Below the plant is a scorpion. He delivers additional powers to the shaman and his wife. It's spirit has come to participate with the proceedings. Other objects include a seat, a shoulder bag, a rattle and an unfinished weaving. The Sun God is seen surrounded by stars meaning that this event takes place during the day. The Sun deity observes that tradition is followed. The shaman will offer Tau, the sun deity, blood from the sacrifice. At the center top we see an eagle spirit observing the events as do the scorpions, whom are also considered sacred creatures. At the center right is the shamans seat and his rectangular box, call tacuatzi. In it he stores his religious instruments such as muvieri, arrows and deer parts. Below are three dried corn stalks which have been brought from the field to receive a blood blessing. In this manner the Maize deity receives her blood. A spirit eagle is seen eating a serpent.
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