Traditional Huichol Symbols
You can find carvings of all shapes and sizes, eggs, calabash bowls and pottery covered in beads. They are sold in the craft markets and gift shops all over Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit and can be found throughout Mexico’s tourist destinations as well. Just ask for “We-chol.” We found these examples of Huichol art at Huicholandia at 246 Olas Altas in Puerto Vallarta near the end of the Malecon in Zona Romantica.
A calabash bowl hard carved on the outside and decorated with Huichol art inside:
Eggs:
Carvings in beaded Huichol art
Huichol art mask
Iguana crawling over pottery
The canvas is done in yarn while the figurines are done in beads
We found these pieces in the Secrets Vallarta Bay and Now Amber resort gift shop:
The inside of shells covered in Huichol art:
Huichol Iguana at the Secrets Vallarta Bay and Now Amber
This panel, ‘The New Awakening” is in the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago:
A massive canvas of bead Huichol art
Sections of the panel:
I love it when hotels support local artisans, the Four Seasons Punta Mita uses Huichol art as centerpieces:
We bought a similar piece to add to our collection of Mexican art.
What kind of Mexican art do you like? We’d love to hear about it, please leave your comments below:
If you are intrigued by the Huichol and their fascinating culture, there are several expeditions available from Puerto Vallarta that will take you to them. During the winter months, Vallarta Adventures ( http://www.vallarta-adventures.com ) organizes air expeditions to San Andres Coamihata, Jalisco, an important Huichol religious center, allowing you to closely experience their way of life. Puerto Vallarta Tours ( http://www.puertovallartatours.net ) organizes a similar experience by bus. Pursue either of these options and you’ll truly appreciate having experienced one of Mexico’s hidden treasures.
There are plenty of shops and superstores in Puerto Vallarta to buy souvenirs, produce and household goods at, but many of the locals prefer to shop at the weekly outside markets called tianguis. The word tianguis is derived from the Nahuatl word “tianquiztli” which means day market.