Kauyumari: The Legend of the Blue Deer

An ancient oral tradition transmitted by the Wixárika elders tells that, a long time ago, terrible diseases, droughts and famines struck the land. So, the venerable grandparents decided to send four young men hunting; their task was to bring some food to share with the community, no matter how little they found. The young people represented the four elements: earth, air, water and fire.

The four young men began the journey armed with bows and arrows. They walked for days until, one afternoon, a giant deer jumped out from behind some bushes. The hunters were exhausted and hungry, but when they saw the deer, they forgot everything and began running after it without losing sight.

The deer looked at the young men and felt compassion for them. He let them rest for one night; the next day, he provoked them back into hunting him. Days passed like this, where the deer would let them rest and taunt them back into hunting him while guiding them into his path.

Many weeks passed before reaching Wirikuta. When the young men were on the path up the hill near the Cerro de las Narices, they saw the deer jump in the direction of the place where the Earth Spirit lives. They could swear they saw the deer running in that direction and tried to find him without success. Suddenly, one of the men shot an arrow that fell inside a deer figure formed by peyote plants that, under the sun, shined as emeralds do.

The young men, confused by what had happened, decided to end their task and return with what they had found. They cut the plants to form the figure of the deer (Marratutuyari) to take them back to their town. After walking for several days, they reached the mountain, where everyone was waiting for them. Immediately turning to the elders, they told them of their encounter. The elders began to distribute the peyote among the population, and after a while, they no longer felt hungry or thirsty.