Drum Ceremony

San Luis Potosí, México

In the land of Real de Catorce in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, you can find a place surrounded by desert vegetation of a sacred nature. This is where deer are grazed in coexistence with hikuri or peyote, a species of endemic cactus that is revered ancestrally and is currently in a vulnerable state, according to the Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

This land is Wirikuta.

Ritual and musical (2020-11-12) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Yuimakuaxa

A list of preparations and activities prior to the ceremony such as deer hunting, corn sowing, preparing the tejuino—a traditional frozen drink based on fermented corn -, acquiring a bull or calf...

cleaning the ceremonial temple/Kalihuey, among other minor but equally important tasks, they are in charge of the governor on duty in conjunction with a ceremonial council put together for this ritual.

Preparations to start a ceremony (2020-12-08) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Marakame

This pilgrimage is led through the desert by the Marakame, a spiritual representative from the community. Through chants and prayers representing contact with ancient deities, the grouping is then guided through a sacred route.

Spiritual guide (2020-12-08) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Tuki/Kalihuey

The celebration takes place in a ceremonial center, the Tuki or Kalihuey. Its organization and supervision is in charge of a council composed of members of high value to the community, usually elderly, with various active roles in each of their traditions.

A list of preparations and activities prior to the ceremony such as deer hunting, corn sowing, preparing the tejuino—a traditional frozen drink based on fermented corn -, acquiring a bull or calf, cleaning the ceremonial temple/Kalihuey, among other minor but equally important tasks, they are in charge of the governor on duty in conjunction with a ceremonial council put together for this ritual.

Posing (2020-12-08) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Shakers

Some children in the ceremony are dressed in traditional garments, they are appointed by the ceremonial council based on their experience and participation in previous ceremonies, in order to carry and accompany the rituals with rattles as musical instruments.

Ritual ceremony (2020-12-08) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Give and take, Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), Alejandra Mendoza (editor), 2020-11-12, From the collection of: Colectivo Rokunin
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Enjoying a fresh lunch, Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), Alejandra Mendoza (editor), 2020-11-12, From the collection of: Colectivo Rokunin
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The members of the get-together, children and adults, share food preparations made mainly with the early harvest of fruits and legumes (orange, watermelon, cucumber, melon, banana, sweet potato, beans) such as tortillas, corn pancakes or stuffed tamales, as well as traditional drinks that include atole, tejuino or in the case of agave mezcal specially destined for older participants.<br>

Ceremony in development (2020-12-08) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Blessing of the harvests

On the third day of this ceremony the blessing of the harvests takes place, as a result of the rainy season and consisting mainly of corn, pumpkin and beans. Treasures from the earth shared by generations.

It is vitally important that new generations are aware of, participate in and keep alive the age-old traditions that celebrate their identity and connect them with their ancestral roots. Through rituals of communal living that raise the value of this heritage, in this case of a culinary nature, it is possible to create an awareness of its purpose to be able to preserve it and continue to recreate it.

Joy to be part of the ritual (2020-12-08) by Gabriela Lavalle (photographer), Itzel Mendoza (Editor), and Alejandra Mendoza (editor)Colectivo Rokunin

Credits: Story

Gastronomía Project - Colectivo Rokunin 2020
Drum Ceremony, México. 

Text: César Hernández
Style Correction: Itzel Mendoza and Alejandra Mendoza
Design:  Roberto González
Photographs: Gabriela Lavalle


Licence: CC BY-NC-ND 4.0.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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