Abstract

KINDL, Olivia. Effects of Presence and Ritual Figurations in the “Magic Desert” of Wirikuta. Kauyumari or the Blue Deer between Rituals, Art and Life. Trace (Méx. DF) [online]. 2019, n.76, pp.130-166.  Epub Mar 27, 2021. ISSN 2007-2392.

From a comparative approach, specific figurations of entities will be analyzed, whose dwelling and action space is the semiarid area of San Luis Potosi, where stands the sacred territory of Wirikuta and peyote grows. Considered by many people as a “magical desert”, it is one of the important places of pilgrimage in Mexico. In this context, the figure of the deer Tamatsi Kauyumari of the Wixaritari (Huichol Indians) stands out, since it makes its presence felt in a multifaceted way to the various pilgrims and travelers who roam the desert. Under these assumptions, we will reflect on the relationship between power of images and power of the presence, presence effects and person effects, in various ritual contexts and across diverse means of artistic expressions.

Keywords : presence; person; power; figuration; Tamatsi Kauyumari.