Takauyehapa
©Juan Negrín 1976 ~ 2004 All rights reserved
Takauyehapa Detail
©Juan Negrín 1976 ~ 2004 All rights reserved
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| This votive bowl was deposited by the peyote pilgrims at a sacred spot called Takauyehapa, which means the place around which Our Father Sun left his water before rising to the heavens for the first time. It is a water source near the top of a mountain peak overlooking the holy desert of Wírikuta, where some pilgrims do a vigil before descending to find the psychotropic cactus in the plains below at dawn. The devotees have left two bowls, one of which is visible, while a small rectangular piece of wood (itari) covered with threads of wool pressed on native bee's wax is also visible. The votive bowl (xukuri) is stained with blood; it has seeds of corn and two coins, in addition to a central design symbolizing the sun, as a nierika, the huichol term that means a round icon of transcendental insight. The votive yarn painting represents, among other things, Our Father Sun, who starts rising next to Our Young Mother Eagle, above the green background of the earth with its symbols, which include nierikate (circles) and coins. We can also see a bow with the shafts of its arrows attached. | |