By Eduardo Peña Haller
Ambassador of Mexico to the State of Kuwait
On 12 July, during the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Paris, a moment of profound significance for Mexico and for global culture unfolded. The Wixárika Route in north-central Mexico was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as a Cultural Itinerary. This historic recognition—the first for a living Indigenous tradition in Latin America—celebrates the enduring spiritual legacy of Mexico’s Wixárika (Huichol) people.
The Wixárika Route, a sacred pilgrimage to the Wixárika Indigenous Peoples, which traverses over 500 kilometers across the north-central Mexican states of Nayarit, Jalisco, Durango, Zacatecas, and San Luis Potosí to culminate in Wirikuta in the Chihuahuan Desert, is known to the Wixárika people as Tatehuarí Huajuyé (The Path of Our Grandfather Fire). Each year, the Wixárika traverse this ancient, pre-Columbian path, in a journey of the heart that connects 20 revered sites from the majestic Sierra Madre Occidental to the sacred desert of Wirikuta, where they believe the Sun was born at Cerro del Quemado. Through this pilgrimage, the Wixárika renew their bond with the land and honor their ancestors.
Recognized by UNESCO as a ‘Serial Property’, the Wixárika Route shines for its extraordinary cultural and ecological significance. Mexico’s National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) describes it as a “braid of paths,” intertwining rituals, oral histories, and ecological wisdom that have guided the Wixárika for centuries. This designation adds to Mexico’s proud legacy as the nation with the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Americas—35 treasures, from the ancient pyramids of Chichen Itza to the vibrant historic center of Oaxaca. The Wixárika Route stands as a testament to Mexico’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding humanity’s shared heritage.
For communities worldwide, from those who revere landmarks like Kuwait’s Al Zubarah Archaeological Site to those preserving their own traditions, the Wixárika Route’s recognition is an invitation to reflect. What does it mean to walk a path that has guided a people for generations? The pilgrimage’s harmony with nature echoes global aspirations for sustainability, reminding us that cultural preservation and environmental stewardship are intertwined. Here in Kuwait, where heritage and progress walk hand in hand, this achievement resonates as a call to protect the stories, rituals, and landscapes that define us.
This milestone was born of collaboration between INAH and the Wixárika communities, who tirelessly documented the route’s universal value. UNESCO’s recognition will bolster conservation and invite cultural tourism, offering the world a chance to discover the richness of Indigenous heritage.
As we celebrate this achievement, the Embassy of Mexico in Kuwait invites you to join us in honoring the Wixárika Route and the vibrant tapestry of global cultures. We welcome you to explore Mexico’s heritage—whether through cultural events at our Embassy, a journey to our 35 UNESCO sites, or a deeper appreciation for the traditions that connect us all. Together, let us embrace the shared responsibility to protect the legacy of our past for the generations to come.
