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Gourds: Mexican Folk Art, Huichol Indians, Bowls, Beads, Symbols And Colors
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Published: December 4, 2007
The Huichol Indians are members of a small indigenous tribal entity which reside in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Western Central Mexico. The states wherein the Huichol Indians usually stay are Jaslico and Nayarit. They are considered to be the last inhabitants of North America to maintain their precious pre-Columbian traditions.
Because they give much value to their culture, the Huichol are able to retain some of their traditions and practices even up to this day. The Huichol play a huge role in the development of Mexican folk art. They are responsible for the creation of the colorful Huichol yarn paintings, the creative Huichol beaded art, and the attractive gourds.
The term gourds is used to describe the fruit which is a member of the Lagenaria genus and Cucurbitaceae family. When they are dried, the hollow gourds may be used to create a number of different wares or containers. These gourds may be in the form of bowls, ornaments, glasses, lamps, bottles, rattles, jars, and other vessels. The container gourds became one of the most prominent pieces of Mexican folk art. Ideally, gourds are used as bowls to contain food or bottles to hold water, but the Huichol sometimes use gourds as offerings or gifts for those people on pilgrimages.
The Huichol, who are very talented people, released their creativity by painting the gourds rich hues and adorning them wonderful beads. One of the most famous gourd products created by the Huichol is the beaded gourd bowl. The beaded gourd bowls, which are called rakure by the Huichol people, are usually accentuated with different beads made from shell, coral, pyrite, stone turquoise, bones, jade, seeds, and clay. The rich colors which are given to the different materials of beads are in the form of dyes which can be obtained from insects and vegetables. The colorful beads are used to create patterns, symbols, images, and designs that will enhance the appearance of the gourds. The different symbols, designs, and patterns used in the creation of gourds serve as representations and mirrors of the various customs, philosophies, traditions, folklore, beliefs, and lifestyle of the ancient Huichol.
The earliest gourd bowls which are nicely decorated with tiny colorful beads are often used to adorn Huichol temples and altars. It is said that the Huichol actually believe that if a person decides to drink water from a designed gourd bowl, the gods will easily comprehend the person's prayers. The colors of the beads that adorn the gourd bowls also play a huge role in a better communication with the gods: blue for Rapawiyeme, black for Tatei Aramara, and red for Wirikuta. Rapawiyeme is associated with the tree of rain while Tatei Aramara is associated with the place of the dead and the serpent of the rain. Wirikuta, who is affiliated with red beads, is associated with the birthplace of eagles, peyotes, and deers. The creative designs, important symbols, and beneficial uses of the gourds caused it to be one of the most important pieces in Mexican folk art.
Sources:
Pinkson, Thomas. "Shamanic Art of the Huichols." Shamanism. 27 Nov. 2007. http://www.nierica.com/shamanism/shamanic_art/huic holart.html.
Haardt, Anton. "Huichol Art." Anton Haardt Gallery. 27 Nov. 2007. http://www.antonart.com/huichol-indians.htm.
Corelis, Angela. "Huichol Indians, their Art & Symbols." Mexico Connect. 27 Nov. 2007. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/huichol/abt_huit.ht m.
The term gourds is used to describe the fruit which is a member of the Lagenaria genus and Cucurbitaceae family. When they are dried, the hollow gourds may be used to create a number of different wares or containers. These gourds may be in the form of bowls, ornaments, glasses, lamps, bottles, rattles, jars, and other vessels. The container gourds became one of the most prominent pieces of Mexican folk art. Ideally, gourds are used as bowls to contain food or bottles to hold water, but the Huichol sometimes use gourds as offerings or gifts for those people on pilgrimages.
The Huichol, who are very talented people, released their creativity by painting the gourds rich hues and adorning them wonderful beads. One of the most famous gourd products created by the Huichol is the beaded gourd bowl. The beaded gourd bowls, which are called rakure by the Huichol people, are usually accentuated with different beads made from shell, coral, pyrite, stone turquoise, bones, jade, seeds, and clay. The rich colors which are given to the different materials of beads are in the form of dyes which can be obtained from insects and vegetables. The colorful beads are used to create patterns, symbols, images, and designs that will enhance the appearance of the gourds. The different symbols, designs, and patterns used in the creation of gourds serve as representations and mirrors of the various customs, philosophies, traditions, folklore, beliefs, and lifestyle of the ancient Huichol.
The earliest gourd bowls which are nicely decorated with tiny colorful beads are often used to adorn Huichol temples and altars. It is said that the Huichol actually believe that if a person decides to drink water from a designed gourd bowl, the gods will easily comprehend the person's prayers. The colors of the beads that adorn the gourd bowls also play a huge role in a better communication with the gods: blue for Rapawiyeme, black for Tatei Aramara, and red for Wirikuta. Rapawiyeme is associated with the tree of rain while Tatei Aramara is associated with the place of the dead and the serpent of the rain. Wirikuta, who is affiliated with red beads, is associated with the birthplace of eagles, peyotes, and deers. The creative designs, important symbols, and beneficial uses of the gourds caused it to be one of the most important pieces in Mexican folk art.
Sources:
Pinkson, Thomas. "Shamanic Art of the Huichols." Shamanism. 27 Nov. 2007. http://www.nierica.com/shamanism/shamanic_art/huic holart.html.
Haardt, Anton. "Huichol Art." Anton Haardt Gallery. 27 Nov. 2007. http://www.antonart.com/huichol-indians.htm.
Corelis, Angela. "Huichol Indians, their Art & Symbols." Mexico Connect. 27 Nov. 2007. http://www.mexconnect.com/mex_/huichol/abt_huit.ht m.
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