MAXACUAXI & KAUYUMARIE

by Juan Rios Martinez

One of the most sacred animals to the Huichol is the deer. The plants most sacred to them are the Peyote, the Tree of the Wind and the Maize.

In the picture are Kauyumarie “Our Elder Brother Deer”, the larger deer on the right, and Maxacuaxi “Our Great-grandfather Tail of the Deer." Kauyumarie is one of the principal guiding and helping divinities of the Huichol and his voice is shown as the voice of peyote. Maxacuaxi is the spirit of maize and also of the Tree of the Wind.

Here they are shown in communion over a gourd made as an offering to them that was left at Wirikuta, the sacred land of the Huichol.