Handmade Huichol Folk Art Beaded Mask, "Teruka-Warra"

A vivid surge of color spills from the dark, fertile earth in glorious abundance. The fearful presence of Teruka (meaning "guardian scorpion of the maize") stands sentry over the warra (maize field) in constant vigilance. Representing the extravagance of harvest time and the importance of maize in his community, Higinio Hernandez crafts a unique Huichol design enhanced by a glowing headpiece. The piece makes a dramatic addition to any home interior.

Huichol culture is guided by pre-Columbian shamanic traditions linked to ceremonies performed in their storied past. The jicuri (peyote) is the centerpiece of Huichol ritualism, revered for its curative properties and its ability to enlighten those who partake of it. Higinio Hernandez and his family preserve their cultural heritage through expressive bead art, representing essential Huichol symbols like jicuri, marra (deer), berika (eagle), and iko (corn). For these ornaments, each brilliant bead is affixed by hand to a papier-mâché base, the resulting symmetry requires high standards of patience and concentration.