Peyote Hunt
The Sacred Journey of the Huichol Indians
Published on 31. March 1976
Book
Paperback/Softback
288 pages
978-0-8014-9137-5 (ISBN)
Description
Myerhoff's book will be a classic in the anthropology of religion.-Christian Scholar's Review
"RamOn Medina Silva, a Huichol Indian shaman priest or mara'akame, instructed me in many of his culture's myths, rituals, and symbols, particularly those pertaining to the sacred untiy of deer, maize, and peyote. The significance of this constellation of symbols was revealed to me most vividly when I accompanied RamOn on the Huichol's annual ritual return to hunt the peyote in the sacred land of Wirikuta, in myth and probably in history the place from which the Ancient Ones (ancestors and deities of the present-day Indians) came before settling in their present home in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental in north-central Mexico. My work with RamOn preceded and followed our journey, but it was this peyote hunt that held the key to, and constituted the climax of, his teachings."-from the Preface
"RamOn Medina Silva, a Huichol Indian shaman priest or mara'akame, instructed me in many of his culture's myths, rituals, and symbols, particularly those pertaining to the sacred untiy of deer, maize, and peyote. The significance of this constellation of symbols was revealed to me most vividly when I accompanied RamOn on the Huichol's annual ritual return to hunt the peyote in the sacred land of Wirikuta, in myth and probably in history the place from which the Ancient Ones (ancestors and deities of the present-day Indians) came before settling in their present home in the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental in north-central Mexico. My work with RamOn preceded and followed our journey, but it was this peyote hunt that held the key to, and constituted the climax of, his teachings."-from the Preface
Reviews / Votes
"This study is based on observation, verbatim texts of myths, ethnographic data, participation in the rituals, and other publications of Huichol ethnology. The peyote complex is expertly set in the wider context of Huichol religion, society, and history. The study concludes with a review of . . . theories of Turner, Geertz, and Levi-Strauss, which, in turn, are synthesized to provide the basis for sophisticated analysis of meaning and function of the deer-maize-peyote symbol-ritual complex. . . . Should be useful to all seriously interested in understanding alien world views."-Choice "This is a beautiful book, recording with loving care how one thoughtful Huichol Indian wanted to see the world."-Review of Books and Religion "Barbara G. Myerhoff's splendid study . . . is a sensible participant-observer account . . . of a shamanic priest and his small party of pilgrims as they journey to their original homeland, now a distant sacred center, in search of peyote."-Benjamin Ray, History of Religions "Myerhoff's book will be a classic in the anthropology of religion."-Christian Scholar's ReviewMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Ithaca
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 216 mm
Width: 140 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
454 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-8014-9137-5 (9780801491375)
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Schweitzer Classification
Content
1. Ramon and Lupe2. Ethnographic and Historical Background3. Huichol Religion4. The Peyote Hunt as an Event5. The Deer-Maize-Peyote Complex6. The Purpose and Meaning of the Peyote HuntBibliography
Index
Index