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Seri
In Northern Mexico between the Sea of Cortez and the desert of Sonora live the last 200 pure blood Seri Indians. The ancestral homeland of the Seri is Isle de Tiburon (Shark Island), a massive island just off the west coast of the Mexican mainland in what is now the State of Sonora. The Seris were forced to move from their homeland by the Mexican government in the early 1960’s, because the government felt it would be easier to educate the children. The Mexican government then declared Tiburon off limits to everyone except Seris and their guests, it is now a wildlife sanctuary.
The Seri are survivors. They have deep knowledge of the dangers of the sea, in which they also traveled about in their man made reed boats, called balsas. The Seris also have survival tactics in the desert. The Seris are also survivors in that many other cultures have tried to overtake them. Such as the Spanish missionaries to convert them to their religion, the Spanish have also tried to "eliminate" the Seri people, and the British disliked them because the island that the Seri people lived on was surrounded by rich pearl beds.
The Seri were also known for their deadly poisoned arrows. They used the liver of a slaughtered animal that was bit into by a deadly animal such as a rattlesnake or scorpion. They then passed the arrow through the arrow and set out to dry. When the arrow was used this deadly toxin was released into the victims body.
Seri Today: The Seri today live in 2 main villages along the coast, Punta Chueca and El Desemboque. The full population of 600-800 Seri live in traditional dwellings constructed of ocotillo sticks shaped into domes and covered with tarps. The Seri name is actually a name given to them by the conquering Spanish, the Seri actually call themselves Konkaak- The People.
The majority of the Seri consider themselves Christians, while some will admit to keeping the ancient legend of the Spirit Whale alive. It is said that if you visit a certain cave you may encounter the Spirit Whale. If you stare to the east at Guardian Angel Island at midnight you will see it gliding on top of the waves. Stare directly at it and the huge whale will leave the water and become airborne, flying directly at you. It will give off a strong force that will penetrate you with a strong spirit. This spirit will then provide you with protection from evil and grant you with great mystical healing abilities. The individual will also be able to walk safely in total darkness, in which the Seri culture is very afraid of.
The older Seri women wear long brightly colored dresses and the younger women dress more modern, even wearing finger nail polish and perfume. But you will never see a Seri woman wearing pants or shorts. The men wear the traditional long hair, but try to fit in with the local Mexican men and wear jeans and long sleeves.
The poverty living Seri make a living from selling the crafts that they make. The women make the finest baskets in the world with their teeth. These baskets are woven of fibers from the torote plant and then dyed. These baskets are woven so tightly that they are even able to hold water. The women also craft delicate necklaces out of seashells. The men began the art of Ironwood carving. Ironwood comes from a slow growing desert shrub, in which they carve figures out of into sea and desert animals, such as turtles, whales, and dolphins.
The Seri are very much in touch with themselves and the earth, they still live close to the earth and cycles of nature. The Seris have proven that they are survivors.
Additional Reading
Seri
Indigenous People of Mexico
Seri Baskets
Hakoan Languages
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