The Huichol Web of Life: Creation and Prayer

Lesson Three: "I Wish" Arrows

Suggested levels for this lesson are any grades. The understood concepts and art making activities will be more sophisticated with the older age of the participants.

Lesson Overview:

In this lesson students are introduced to urus, which are functional art forms of the Huichols. These "arrows" are made of painted, patterned sticks that are highly decorated with feathers, "ojos de Dios"("eyes of god"--yarn weavings) , woven rings, and pieces of embroidered cloth. All these decorations are individual symbols definitive of a particular wish. These arrows (muviere) are then left at a holy place, or sent into the wind, or floated down rivers as prayers. The wishes are thus sent into nature to find their fulfillment and restore balance.

Students will learn to create their own "I wish" arrows using materials symbolic of their own individual or community wishes.

Art Historical Objectives - Students Learn:

• Huichols have many different art forms that are functional. (The gourd bowls jicara are used as offerings to the deities-refer to Lesson 2. The decorative, woven bags that the men wear around their waists are used to carry personal objects-Lesson 4. Also hats that are worn to protect them from the sun.)
• Urus are examples of Huichol functional art. Urus are highly decorated arrows used to send individual/communal wishes into nature, similar to metaphorical phones. The main shaft is made from oak, with an overlay of bamboo starting at the top. Decorative materials like feathers, string, small embroideries, etc. are attached.
• Everyone in the ranchos creates urus. Children begin at a very early age to design and make their own. They are used in children's ceremonies.
• Feathers are usually tied to the top of a urus. Huichols believe feathers to be a direct method of communication to nature. The arrows "fly" these wishes into nature in order that they are heard and the situation will be brought back into balance. Other beliefs of the Huichol are that wishes are thoughtfully conveyed to the top of the arrow and the arrow placed in nature (top up). When the rains come the wish is coated with rain. As the sun warms the arrow the moisture at the top of the arrow evaporates, carrying the wish into the heavens.
• The arrow is painted with different colors signifying a variety of symbols important to the maker. Woven rings, symbolic of "ojos de Dios" (god's eyes) are also tied to the arrow. Little cross-stitched figures on white fabric are added. (The circular woven shapes are representative of the traps used many years ago to catch the deer. They look like modern dream catchers. The concept of a dream catcher is a decorative, commercial design not traditional to the Huichol.)
• The wishes of the Huichols may be personal or communal. Wishes may include good health, good harvests, rain to alleviate drought conditions, and bountiful material goods.

Art Making Objectives:

• Students learn to make their own "I wish" arrows using a variety of materials. The addition of strands of beads and personal trinkets is a good way to personalize the "I wish" arrows. Small pieces of fabric with embroidered symbols or painted designs can also be attached.
• Students learn how to create their own symbols by assigning different (personal) meanings to the materials, colors, and patterns used in the decoration of their arrows.
• Students learn that art making can also serve a functional purpose as a means to illustrate wishes.
• Students also learn that wishes do not always concern individual desires but may include the entire community, asking for Peace or Prosperity for the family.
• Student learn that their, "I Wish" arrows have value in the community where they live.

Teaching Activities:

1. Begin by asking the students to describe the urus (arrows) seen in the accompanying images. What materials are they made of? What are their designs? What persons within the village create them? What is their purpose? Have the participants share their answers after they have written down their initial replies. At the end of the lesson ask the same questions to assess their learning. Have them share their answer with the other students.
2. Explain to the students that art may be functional, that is, art may be used for a specific purpose. Explain further that most Huichol art serves a function. For example, nierikas are very similar to books because they tell individual, communal, and historical stories. Tell the students that the Huichols also use art to illustrate their own personal or communal wishes: health, a bountiful harvest, rain, etc. Urus or arrows are symbols of particular wishes. These are brightly decorated (dull) arrows that are sent into the air, floated down rivers, and/or placed in special places.
3. Explain that arrows/urus are used in children's naming ceremonies.
4. Explain that these arrows are decorated with objects, patterns, and colors that are symbolic of particular wishes of the artist. Explain further that a wish may be used in order to reestablish balance within a community and in nature. For example, drought is considered by the Huichols as nature out of balance, and urus may be sent to restore that balance.
5. Read the book, The Eagle and the Rainbow, to the younger students. Have the older students read the story out loud and discuss each page. Ask the students to explain how the hero, Fast as Deer, restored the balance of the community. He sent arrows/urus into the four directions. The fifth direction is the sacred point of union for all four points to unite with the heavens. Ask also what was the sign that the community was out of balance (drought, death, and dying and because Fast as Deer was originally denied his name that the shaman/leader originally assigned him). Explain to the students that Fast as Deer wished to restore the community balance by making and sending the arrows into the four directions. Tell the students that by focusing on their own wishes, they too can change conditions towards their own important desires.
6. Show the students some examples of Huichol urus, pictured in this lesson. Ask the students what their own wishes for themselves and their community might be.
7. Using pre-cut sticks, have the students decorate these with symbols defining their own particular wishes. Use feathers, colors, ribbons, strings, beads, cloth, and written wishes to decorate their arrows. The sticks may have a number of wishes attached.
8. The students may tie written wishes with ribbon or string to the stick. Such wishes may include "I wish it would snow, I wish there was no hunger in the world, I wish there was world peace, I wish there was no poverty, I wish... et al."
9. Have the students think of special places where they may place their sticks so they are reminded of their wishes.
10. Exhibit the urus in a community location along with the written wishes. That could be in the lobby of the school.

Self Assessment:

1. Have the participants share the places where they will place their "I Wish" arrows.
2. Explain to the students that by focusing on their own particular thoughts they may be able to assess whether certain wishes are worthy of attainment and fulfillment. (This lesson may teach the students how to appreciate and evaluate their own wishes and desires. It is also an excellent activity to stimulate thoughtful reflection and personal perspectives no matter what the age of a participant.)

It is hoped that a field trip to The Bead Museum can be included in this lesson.