Peyote, a tool for the defense of the cultural rights of native peoples

Just as the ololiuhqui was consecrated from ancient times as a visionary plant by the Mexican and Otomian peoples, the peyote or peyotl (Lophophora williamsii) represented the most important vegetable bond with the sacred for the native peoples of the arid and semi-arid zones of Mexico.
It is a small cactus that has been consumed since time immemorial to generate expanded states of consciousness, and to make decisions, both individually and socially.
Among the Huichols it is known as Húcuri or Xicori. The Cora of the mountains of Tepic call it huatari, and the tepehuane of Durango, kamaba. The Otomi peoples of the Mexican plateau, Beyo, and the Mescalero Apaches, ho or hos.
Its area of ​​occurrence extends along the semi-arid and elevated valleys and plateaus of north-central Mexico (Rio Grande Valley, Tamaulpecan Mountains, Mezquital River, Sierras de Durango and Nayarit, etc) to the south of the United States. (Texas, New Mexico). In general, it is adapted to the calcareous and clayey soils of the Cretaceous formations, in the aforementioned region.
The plant has very particular characteristics, it is small (usually a few centimeters in diameter), rounded shape and lacks branches or leaves.
Its flower is whitish pink, in which a pinkish-red fruit develops in a massive and elongated form.
Peyote contains nine alkaloids from the isoquiniline series, some with effect of strychnine type (toxic), and others of the morphine type (sedative). The combined effects of all these compounds contained in the peyote they are complex, and depend both on the individual who ingests them, and on the context in which they are consumed and on the size of the dose.
The plant was described by Shagun in 1560, as a "narcotic" cactus that the chichimecas used ritually. Jacinto de la Serna mentioned peyote in 1626 and the first botanical description was made in 1638 by Francisco Hernández, a Spanish naturalist, calling him Peyotl Zacatensis. This researcher pointed out that native peoples divided peyote into two types: males and females.
The Huicholes classify them into two varieties, one more active and bitter, with smaller and abundant mamelons on the surface, which they call Tzinouritehua- hicouri or Peyote of the Gods, and another, weaker effect, which they call Rhaitoumuanitarihua-hicouri or Peyote de las Diosas).
According to Rouhier, cited by Weston La Barre, 1970, the latter would be the juvenile phase of the first.
The Huichols have a peyote tutelary Goddess they call Hatzimouika, while for the Tarahumara, the god of peyote is male, hikuli walula saliami.
According to the Tarahumara traditions, the peyote is a plant that sings.
The way to find it is precisely to listen to its song. Then he continues singing while they carry it in the backpacks. Peyote is also expressed during ceremonies, in which the plant also sings songs.
A testimony of a native lipan:
"Peyote is hard to find when you're looking for it ... a person who is not used to it does not recognize it even though it's in the middle of a peyote cluster." Once you see one, another appears and continues until they appear All of them as stars If you have trouble finding them, do the following: When you find one, just eat it, When it takes effect, it gets a little dizzy, You will hear a noise like the wind in a certain direction. comes the sound, you will find many peyote plants
You can get power by visiting the field of peyote in Texas, and telling him that you want to help heal people and get medicine. There you have to water tobacco. The next morning, when the Morning Star appears, the person must return to the field where he put the tobacco and when he approaches he will hear a rattle sounding. If you find a snake there, you must grab it (because it is rolled up on the medicine), take it out, and take a peyote button from that place. Then go to another cluster and take another button ... Maybe, in the place where you grab the fourth button, again find the snake and you must remove it. "
The first effect of ingesting peyote is stimulating, both mentally and physically. Help cope with strenuous physical efforts, such as ceremonial dances and races.
Some people experience euphoric states, and others go into depressive situations. In almost all cases, it acts as a sleep suppressant.
Ceremonial peyote sessions are usually held at night, and in them the participants can stay 10 to 12 hours without sleep.
Physiologically it produces visions of colors, as well as unusual olfactory and auditory perceptions. Many observers have noticed an increase in visual acuity and, perhaps due to the greater sensitivity, a certain photophobia