Ángel Bracho
Mexican, 1911 - 2005Las Familias Huicholas (The Huichol Families) from Mexican People portfolio, ca. 1945
Not on view
Lithograph on paper
Dimensions15 1/16 × 17 5/8 in. (38.3 × 44.8 cm)
Image: 11 3/16 × 13 3/4 in. (28.4 × 34.9 cm)
Gift of Mr. Jack B. Pierson, 1987.31.1
For the portfolio introduction, Bracho wrote:
"Among the "huichola" families of the region of Ixcatan, Nayarit-Basin of the San Pedro River persists the "Coamitl" a primitive form of land rotation (not rotation of crops). This rotation consists of cutting declivities or landing places in the most intricate craggy rocks. Frequently upon the completion of this work the grass or weeds are burned to enrich the land chosen for sowing. Since these spots appear inaccessible and are far from the ranches and towns, the natives move there with their wives and children, dogs, tools, and household goods which usually consists of a "petate" (mat), a basket, a bule or water cask made from a fruit, a lamp and some provisions. In many cases, the sands have formed blockades similar to the one in the background of the lithograph to which the old tree clings with the talons of its roots. Thus, the elements in this lithograph are the semi-nomadic agriculture of the huicholes, the uncivilized land, and the life of man fighting desperately and quietly for his existence."
