Native Huichol Rituals Now Performed for Guests at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit

RIVIERA NAYARIT, Mexico, July 9, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- To bring awareness to the cultural treasure of the native Huichol people, Grand Velas Rivera Nayarit now offers a showcase of traditional rituals for guests. An indigenous tribe living in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico, the Huichols are the last North American tribe to maintain their pre-Columbian traditions. The Huichol community performs a different ritual every other Wednesday at the AAA Five Diamond Resort, including the Huichol Wedding and the Healing of the Soul. These activities are explained to the guests in English to help them understand the ceremony and the importance of preserving the traditions. In addition to the ceremonies, the Huichol community displays their handicrafts for guests to purchase and a Huichol jewelry beading workshop is offered for families.

Characterized by their simplicity, symbolism, and spirituality, the Huichol Wedding ceremony represents the union of two people. The romantic ritual takes place at the beach or in a place surrounded by the magical nature of the region. The bride wears traditional Huichol white-attire embellished with flowers or deer embroidery, while the groom wears palm hats with feather or tree seeds embellishments. The ceremony begins with the bride and groom presenting a five-colored corn offering, as the Marakame (priest) purifies them with copal, eagle, and hawk feathers and holy water while giving advice for their life as a couple. Once spiritually purified, the newlyweds join hands and embrace. They feed each other, drink tejuino (a beverage made from fermented corn) and finally lie down on a palm mat called a petate. Officially anointed Wirrárrika (Huichol man) and a Ukari Wirrákita (Huichol woman), they dance to the rhythm of the tepo (a wooden drum and deer skin) as the singer proclaims in chorus their forever-lasting love.

The Healing of Soul ceremony is a way for the Huichol people to ask the gods for health, harmony and peace, as well as for good harvests and to fulfill their commitment of duty to the gods. They bring offerings that characterize their desire to please the gods. The Marakame and singer guide the ceremony and directly communicate with the gods.

Nightly rates start at $336 per person per night based on double occupancy at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Velas Resorts' all-inclusive rates include luxury accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, taxes, gratuity and more. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit http://vallarta.grandvelas.com/.

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:
The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit enjoys a privileged natural setting with flowering, landscaped gardens beside a long stretch of pristine beach and a dramatic backdrop of the Sierra Madre mountains. The centerpiece of the gardens is a three-tiered, multi-temperature infinity pool, a preferred spot for catching the legendary sunsets. The resort features 267 ocean-view suites, some with private plunge pools, and all with fully stocked mini bar, L'Occitane amenities and Nespresso machines. Wellness Suites include a personal training session and massage in-suite in addition to other fitness amenities, such as a Lifecycle Exercise Bike, organic soaps, Aromatherapy Kit, and more. Of the resort's five restaurants, three, serving French, Italian and Mexican gourmet cuisine, have received AAA Four Diamond awards for distinguished cuisine and presentation. An oasis of wellbeing, Se Spa offers 20 treatment suites, more than 30 spa treatments, many inspired by the native traditions of Mexico and a signature water journey. Other features include a fitness center, 24/7 in suite service, water sports, business center, tennis, baby concierge, Kids' Club, and state-of-the-art Teens' Club. The all-inclusive resort in the Riviera Nayarit features more than 25,000 square feet of indoor meeting facilities, including the Grand Marissa Ballroom, which consists of more than 6,000 square feet and is easily subdivided into five separate rooms. The resort's facilities also include four other rooms ranging from 681 to more than 1,954 square feet that offer several arrangement variations to maximize meeting productivity and efficiency. Things to do in Puerto Vallarta include water sports, exploring the lush jungle, visits to traditional villages and more. The resort has won numerous awards from Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, U.S. News and World Report and Forbes, which named it one of the Top Ten Coolest All-Inclusives. Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side.

SOURCE Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit