Abstract

The Huichol (Wixaritari) are a prehispanic shamanic tribe from northern Mexico who resisted conquest and outside incursion for 500 years and have continued their traditions, connection to the land and consumption of the psychedelic peyote cactus for millennia. They are one of the world’s oldest unbroken psychedelic tribes and yet their way of life is currently under threat from foreign mining interests that seek to destroy their sacred lands and their culture with it.

Dr David Luke will be speaking about his insight into Huichol cosmology, the Desert of Wirikuta, and the Huicholes stuggle to defend their land. This will be followed by the exclusive screening of a new documentary film, ‘Huicholes: The Last Peyote Guardians’(2014).

Dr David Luke, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Greenwich, is a psychedelic researcher and writer focusing on anomalous experience and altered states. He has published over 100 academic texts in this area, including co/editing and co-authoring four recent books. He also co/organises various events such as the Ecology, Cosmos and Consciousness Salon, Breaking Convention and Psychic Lysurgery.