Wixárika Ceremonial Stick

Object/Artifact

-

International Museum of Art & Science

Name/Title

Wixárika Ceremonial Stick

Entry/Object ID

2025.01.024

Description

A ceremonial stick composed of a slender wooden shaft bound near the upper portion with colorful yarn in blue, green, and pink bands. Extending from the top are several feathers, likely from a bird of prey, with a brown-and-cream speckled pattern and dark brown tip. Additional smaller feathers, mottled brown and white are attached at the upper end, secured with blue yarn binding. Some remnants of organic adhesive, possibly kuetsukuai, is visible at the feather base. The overall condition shows light wear consistent with ceremonial use and age, with fraying yarn fibers and slight deformation of the main feather’s vane.

Made/Created

Time Period

1980s, 1990s

Ethnography

Cultural Region

Region

Sierra Madre Occidental

Country

Mexico

Continent

North America

Culture/Tribe

Wixárika