Cora Indians

The Cora tribe, which presently comprises approximately 8000 people, lives along a coastal stretch in the state of Nayarit and in settlements in the Sierra Nayar, e.g. in Dolores, Santa Teresa, Mesa del Nayar, Jesús Maria, San Francisco and Corepán. Their self-administration extensively evades the influence of the state. Their origins are unknown, but it is assumed that they migrated from the south-west of the present USA into the the Mexican central plateau and were later driven to the west coast.

Religion

Although converted to Christianity, Cora Indians continue to practise many pagan rites. They pray to the Catholic saints as well as to their old idols which represent the sun, the stars, and the water. An important Coran ceromony is the driving out of angry spirits from the bodies of the dead. Their cult rituals also include a number of dances, whose origins are pre-Christian, but which have also adopted Catholic features. The main festivals, which follow the Christian calendar, are February 2nd (Candlemas), Holy Week, October 15th (Santa Teresa) and November 2nd (All Saints' Day).

The festive costume worn by the Cora resembles that of the Huicholes, although it has its own patterns.

By way of handicrafts the Cora produce handbags made from Maguey fibres with geometric flower and bird patterns, decorated woollen bags, colourful belts and embroidered shirts.