Tuki Fiesta

Traditional cultures like the Wixárika have recognized the vast and complex nature of existence and the challenge we have as humans in trying to navigate life. Doing so requires being in a good relationship with great mysterious forces that are behind the seen world. These forces are related to as living expressions, or also known as the Gods. The tuki is a special place for the Gods to be engaged to provide healing and guidance. This modest-looking thatched adobe shelter contains the whole cosmos , and provides a place for people to orient to the Gods and all creation in a balanced way. And like all of creation, the tuki is recognized as a living presence that must be fed with ritual so that it can in turn feed the people and nourish their connection to the Gods and the world.

This is how the Tuki was born (excerpt from the Sacred Story)

The people had come to the edge of the sea, to Yuuwita, the Place of Darkness – the place where Tau, the Sun, disappears. As Tau rose again in the east, He sent a message arrow. Kauyumari, the Deer-Person, listened closely to the arrow to see what it had to say. Kauyumari then called the greatest singer-shaman (Mara’akame Tsaurixika), who could sing and learn the will of the Gods. This was Tatewarí (Grandfather Fire). He emerged from the fire in all of His glory of costume and feathers. He sat in His shaman’s chair (uwéni) and after resting announced that the Sun had commanded that a temple be built, a Tuki, where the people would gather. And here the Sun would be invited along with Tate Haramara (Grandmother Ocean), Takutsi Nakawé (Grandmother Growth), Yurianaka (Moist Mother Earth), Tatótsi Márakawári (Elder Brother Deer-Tail); and all the Gods of the seasons, the rains, the sky, and the stars. Here the people would create a great fiesta with many offerings to celebrate the presence of the many Gods and to give thanks for the help that they would receive. Different people were chosen by Tatewarí to carry the offerings for the Gods in special devotional bowls (jícaras) as Jicareros. And the Tuki, now alive, would be fed and honored for hosting all of the Gods and all of the people. 

In 2006, in response to Grupo Tatewarí’s growing relationship and dedication to the Wixárika tradition, the Tuki was built on the grounds of what is now called Casa Xiuhtecuhtli, (House of Fire in the local Nahuatl language). The Wixárika people and the Gods authorized and granted this gift through Tsaurixika (elder shaman) Don José Sandoval de la Cruz who led a ceremonial consecration of this first Tuki outside of the traditional homelands in the western Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. Tatewarí (Grandfather Fire) designated this ceremonial center as the “Principal Tuki for Grupo Tatewarí”. Over the years it has become a home for many local and international gatherings, as well as teachings, healing work, and ceremonies.

In September 2022 after a long pause due to the pandemic, representatives from San Andrés Cohamiata (Tateykie in Wixárika), Jalisco traveled once again to Casa Xiuhtecuhtli to begin a new five-year cycle of feeding the Tuki to ensure that the Gods received our offerings.

As part of an initiative under the guidance of Tatewarí, Don David Wiley and Don Eliot Cowan were instructed to travel to the Huichol Sierras to the village of San Andrés Cohamiata in 1998 to begin establishing formal relationships with the mara’akate lineages of that location. Their Tatuwani (Traditional Governor) and their Kawiterutsixi (Council of Elders) came to recognize David, Eliot, and their students as mara’akate, who were properly instructed, apprenticed, and initiated under the direction of Tatewarí. From that point on they were referred to by the local governance members and elder assembly officially and affectionately as Grupo Tatewarí.

Five mara’akate from Grupo Tatewarí–called Jicareros–were chosen by Tatewarí to host the Tuki Fiesta for a 5 year ceremonial cycle. As Jicareros, Linda Felch, Patrick Hanaway, Anna-Lena Hilton, Lawrence Messerman, and Susan Skinner are hosts for the Tuki Fiesta in September. The Jicareros will prepare special offerings during the Tuki Fiesta. They will each carry a jícara (gourd bowl) to hold the offerings, and will take these offerings to the most sacred site of the Wixárika tradition–the Birthplace of the Gods–next November. In doing so, they will act on behalf of our community, as they ask for blessings and healing to be bestowed upon all present at their return.

The Jicareros are supported by an elder shaman known as a Tsaurixika (Singer) who leads the 3-day ritual of the Tuki Fiesta. The Tsaurixika’s role includes one night of singing to the gods, and listening in turn for Their guidance to share with those in attendance.
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‍The traditional elder council (Kawiterutsixi) from the Wixárika homelands of San Andres Cohiamata have offered Grupo Tatewarí the support of Tsaurixika Don Efrén Gonzalez Carrillo to continue deepening our ceremonial endeavors. We are grateful for his support and for the continued guidance of the Wixárika elders who are committed to helping us be of benefit in the modern world through the gifts of this tradition.