Wixarica, Peyote and Shamanism in the 21st Century - Rodrigo Rurawe and David Luke

The Wixarica people maintain their cultural and spiritual traditions through centuries of struggle and occupation. Their community life centers on periodic pilgrimages to sacred landscapes, where they engage in ceremonial practices featuring the collection of peyote and other elements. These pilgrimages are deeply connected to their cosmology, which emphasizes the interplay of nature as a unified spirit with diverse manifestations, guiding their way of life, traditional healing, and artistic expression. Modern challenges like territory infringement by mining interests impact these practices, yet their community remains resilient. The Wixarica continue to pass down their unique cultural heritage to new generations, emphasizing that the medicine itself, such as the sacred cactus, serves as their primary guide and teacher.