Indians of North America -- Religion; Indians of North America -- Rites and ceremonies; Peyotism
In addition to these feasts that are called mitotes, they also
have other games and recreation during the hours of the day,
such as ball, fighting, and foot-racing; and these games are
often that which gives the motive for their mutual discontent,
and sometimes precipitates formal wars among them.
We note in this account the connection of peyote with corn harvests, deer
hunting and war; and dancing, racing and a morning ceremony are also
mentioned. Regarding the ball-game:[54]
Among the Acaxee [peyote] was reported to have been placed on
one side of a ball ground during a game; its further use here
is unknown, but it is likely that it was taken in small doses
by the players during the game, as is done in the kicking race
of the Tarahumare in modern times.
Chichimecan peyote-eating appears to be connected with war:
Those that eat it or drink it see frightening and laughable
visions. This spree lasts two or three days and then stops. It
is a common food of the Chichimecas, for it stimulates them and
it gives them sufficient spirit to fight and have neither fear,
thirst, nor hunger, and they say it guards them from all danger.
The Zacatecan use of peyote seems likewise to pertain to war, since they
eat it to learn the outcome of battles. The drugging and ceremonial
wounding of the father of a new-born male child, further, is to augur its
valor in war. The Caxcane used peyote ceremonially, with associations
unknown to us, but the Tlaxcaltecan use points again, though uncertainly,
to war. Preuss writes that “the god of the Morning-Star has a close
relationship to this cactus, among the Huichol,” and the Morning Star has
definite war associations.[55]
Dancing is commonly associated with peyotism in the Mexican area, being
recorded for the Comecrudo, Chichimeca, Cora, Huichol, Tamaulipecan,
Tarahumari and Lipan.[56] Use in ritual racing is known for the
Tarahumari, Huichol and Tamaulipecan tribes; and the Acaxee tied strips
of deer-hide or -hooves (the word used means either) on the instep as
an aid in climbing hills—a custom recalling the carrying of hikuli-deer
in racing and the Wichita use of mescal beans. The ritualized journey
for peyote is recorded for the Cora, Huichol, Tarahumari, Tepecano and
somewhat doubtfully for the Tlaxcaltecan.[57]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account