1. A Yaqui Easter

2. Brief History
The true center and homeland of the tribe are eight pueblos, which cluster around the mouth of the Rio Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico.
Yaquis have retained their own ethnic distinctness everywhere they are found in Mexico or in the U.S.
The Yoeme tribe settled in the area north of Tucson named Old Pascua. After 1965 they settled on the land granted by the federal government.

3. Pascua Yaqui Time Line
1533: The first Spanish expedition in Yaqui territory
1617: Jesuit missionaries arrive and live in peace
1825: Yaquis abused by Mexican settlers
1900: Mexico deports Yaquis, enslaves and executes many
1927: 9,000 Yaquis return to old pueblos
1937: Mexico gives back 20% of Yaqui territory
1964: Congressman Udall sponsors a bill for 202 acres southwest of Tucson exclusively for Yaquis
1978: Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona is federally recognized

4. Introduction: Creation Story
A long time ago, Itom Achai Taa’a (Our Father Sun), gave the Surem the land along the Rio Yaqui in Sonora, Mexico. The Surem were the little people, the wise ones, ancestors of the Yoemem, Yaqui people. The people were to take care of the land and their culture would live forever.

5. Familial Relationship
Family can be the nuclear family, however for Yaquis, family extends to much more.
Extended family is considered just as close.
God parents become family and their families become part of the relationship as well.

6. Ceremony (ies)
The American Heritage Dictionary defines ceremony as “A formal act or set of acts performed as prescribed by ritual, custom or etiquette.”
Native ceremony can be situational or continual over time.
For the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona, one of the larger ceremonies is the Reenactment of the Passion Play that takes place during Lent.

7. Yaqui Easter Ceremony
The Yaquis have long carried out the re-enactment of the Passion Play of Christ since the influence of the Catholic church back in 1500’s.
The ceremony itself is a blend of Yaqui beliefs and rituals combined with the Catholic liturgy.
The Easter Ceremonies of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe have been a part of Arizona history since the early 1900’s. These ceremonies are held during Waehma, which are the seven weeks of Lent.

8. Flowers Sewam- Yaquis associate flowers with the Blessed Virgin.
In both the old culture and new, flowers have special importance in Yaqui ritual. Flowers have become symbols of heavenly glory (loria) and divine grace.
Heaven is conceived of as full of flowers. Flowers are the reward for the loss of sleep, fatigue, self-sacrifice, and harsh penance endured during the Ceremony.
For this reason ceremonial work itself is often called sewa or flower, as are the masks and crowns of almost all of the participants. Flowers are used in decorating regalia and are used as weapons against evil.

9. The Vow
All ceremonial events in Pascua are in the hands of societies, in which membership is the result of a “manda” or vow.
This vow is usually made during serious illness, when the aid of Jesus or Mary is sought for help in curing, in return for which a promise is generally made on behalf of a child by the parents or god parents.
It also may be made by an adult for himself/herself.
The term of service is generally for life but may be for a shorter time.
When a child becomes old enough to serve in the society to which he or she is promised, he is confirmed in a formal ceremony.

10. Participants
Two Ceremonial Societies, the Fariseos and Caballeros, are in charge of the Easter Ceremony, and all other events that occur during Lent.
The church group is not organized as a society, but works together as a closely knit organization.
Maestros
Sacristans (Temahti)
Women Singers (Kantoras)
Altar Women (Kiyohteis)
Girl Flag Bearers (Vanteareom/Bandereras)
Bearers of the Figures of Mary
Angels (Anhelitom/Angelitos)
Godparents (Padrinos/Madrinas)
Cooks (Cocineras)

11. Societies Fariseo & Caballero Societies Coyote Society
Church and Altar Organization (Society)
Pascola and Deer Dancer Societies
Matachin Dance Society

12. Lent Ash Wednesday Fridays Palm Saturday Palm Sunday
A short service is conducted in the early evening
Fridays
Processions to the fourteen stations of the cross by members of the church
Palm Saturday
An all night fiesta with the emergence of the Deer Dancer and the Pahkolam
Palm Sunday
The procession with Palms and Procession of Christ into Jerusalem. Palm distribution.

13. Holy Week Holy Wednesday Holy Thursday Good Friday Holy Saturday
The Whipping (The Tenebrae)
Holy Thursday
Procession of the Heart of Jesus with angels, pursuit of the Old Man, and the capture of the Nazarene
Good Friday
The crucifixion of Christ, followed by two processions, and an all night vigil of the body of Christ
Holy Saturday
“La Glory” Ceremony, followed by an all night vigil and traditional dances
Easter Sunday
Matachinim unbraid the Maypole, Mass followed by final procession

14. End of Ceremony The Feast of the Holy Cross – May 2nd – May 3rd
The ceremony begins on May 2nd to honor and celebrate The Holy Cross and marks the end of Lent. Yaqui families make crosses from Willow trees and place them outside their homes. A ceremony involving all societies is held.

15. Easter Ceremony Locations
NEW PASCUA Located off of Valencia and Camino de Oeste.
SOUTH TUCSON 39th and 10th Avenue 44th and 16th Avenue
OLD PASCUA Located off of Grant and Fairview
GUADALUPE (PHOENIX AREA) Located off of Baseline and Avenida del Yaqui

16. Visitors Etiquette
The Pascua Yaqui Tribe welcomes all visitors who come in a spirit of reverence appropriate for any religious ceremony. All communities are protected by tribal, town or city ordinances. Please note that audio recording devices, cameras, cellular phones, sketching and drinking of alcoholic beverages are not allowed at any ceremonial site.
“Respectful ways go a long ways on Arizona Indian lands” is a insightful article posted on Navajo Central that offers some guidelines when visiting Indian lands.