The Huichols and their Neighbors

The Huichol people have one main neighbor group. They are another indigenous tribe called the Cora. The Cora live in Western Central Mexico in the states of Jalisco and Nayarit. The 2000 Mexican census reported that there were 24,390 members of the Cora people remaining. They are very similar to the Huichols in many ways. Both the Cora and Huichol people have mastered the process of burning trees and other shrubbery away to make an area to grow crops. The Cora primarily grow crops such as maize and amaranth. Amaranth is a type of flower that is often used as leaf vegetables. Amaranth is used mainly in salads and for decoration.


Amaranth Flower

Picture from:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amaranth

The Huichol and Cora's native languages are very similar. Since the language is so close, they have no problem communicating with one another. Many members of each groups know Spanish too since that is a majorly used language in Mexico. These groups have been very civil in the past with one another. The Cora always let the Huichols walk through their land when they go on their annual peyote hunt, without being bothered or interfered with.

Young Cora Women
Picture from:

http://www.mexicantextiles.com/grouppages/groups/cora/el_rincon/slides/cora_ricon_04.html

The other Neighbor to the Huichol people is the Mexican Government. The Government has been a huge help to restore nutrition to the people. Malnutrition occurs very often since they burn most of the plants before they can plant their crops. This takes a lot of the nutrition out of the soil. The Government is also opening many schools, clinics, and agricultural stations to help modernize the Huichol People.