Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit PRESSROOM

Complements Jewelry Beading Workshop and Arts & Handicrafts for Sale Already Offered at the Mexican Resort

Riviera Nayarit, Mexico (July 9, 2018) -  To bring awareness to the cultural treasure of the native Huichol people, Grand Velas Rivera Nayarit now offers a showcase of traditional rituals for guests. An indigenous tribe living in the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico, the Huichols are the last North American tribe to maintain their pre-Columbian traditions. The Huichol community performs a different ritual every other Wednesday at the AAA Five Diamond Resort, including the Huichol Wedding and the Healing of the Soul. These activities are explained to the guests in English to help them understand the ceremony and the importance of preserving the traditions. In addition to the ceremonies, the Huichol community displays their handicrafts for guests to purchase and a Huichol jewelry beading workshop is offered for families.

Characterized by their simplicity, symbolism, and spirituality, the Huichol Wedding ceremony represents the union of two people. The romantic ritual takes place at the beach or in a place surrounded by the magical nature of the region. The bride wears traditional Huichol white-attire embellished with flowers or deer embroidery, while the groom wears palm hats with feather or tree seeds embellishments. The ceremony begins with the bride and groom presenting a five-colored corn offering, as the Marakame (priest) purifies them with copal, eagle, and hawk feathers and holy water while giving advice for their life as a couple. Once spiritually purified, the newlyweds join hands and embrace. They feed each other, drink tejuino (a beverage made from fermented corn) and finally lie down on a palm mat called a petate. Officially anointed Wirrárrika (Huichol man) and a Ukari Wirrákita (Huichol woman), they dance to the rhythm of the tepo (a wooden drum and deer skin) as the singer proclaims in chorus their forever-lasting love.

The Healing of Soul ceremony is a way for the Huichol people to ask the gods for health, harmony and peace, as well as for good harvests and to fulfill their commitment of duty to the gods. They bring offerings that characterize their desire to please the gods. The Marakame and singer guide the ceremony and directly communicate with the gods.

Nightly rates start at $336 per person per night based on double occupancy at Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit. Velas Resorts' all-inclusive rates include luxury accommodations, a la carte gourmet meals at a variety of specialty restaurants, premium branded beverages, 24-hour in-suite service, taxes, gratuity and more. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit http://vallarta.grandvelas.com/.

About Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit:

The AAA Five Diamond Grand Velas Riviera Maya is an ultra-luxury all-inclusive resort set on 206 acres of pristine jungle and mangroves and with the finest white sand beach in the Riviera Maya. Guests can choose among three separate ambiances, including adults-only oceanfront, family-friendly ocean view and a Zen-like tropical setting, embraced by the flora and fauna of the Yucatan Peninsula's jungle. All 539 designer-like suites are exceptionally spacious, more than 1,100 square feet each, all with balconies, and some with private plunge pools. All feature fully stocked mini bars, L'Occitane amenities, artisanal tequila, and Nespresso coffee machines. Bathrooms deserve special mention with walk in glass shower, deep soaking Jacuzzi tubs and marble interior. Eight restaurants, including five gourmet offerings, present a tour through Mexico, Europe and Asia. Cocina de Autor, at the hands of world renowned celebrity chefs Bruno Oteiza, Mikel Alonso and Xavier Pérez Stone, holds the AAA Five Diamond Award, the first all-inclusive restaurant in the world to win this prestigious distinction. Se Spa is the region's largest spa sanctuary at more than 90,000 square feet, known for its authentic Mexican treatments, offerings from around world and signature seven-step water journey. Other features include 24-hour Personal Concierge; 24/7 in-suite service; three swimming pools; two fitness centers; water sports; innovative Kids' Clubs and Teens' Club; baby concierge; Karaoke Bar; Koi Bar; Piano Bar, and business center. The resort offers more than 91,000 square feet of meeting space and outdoor areas for events inclusive of a 31,000-square-foot Convention Center, able to accommodate up to 2,700 guests. The resort has won numerous awards from Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, USA Today and several other magazines and major companies worldwide, including Virtuoso's Best Spa and TripAdvisor's Hall of Fame. A member of the Virtuoso Hotels & Resorts Program, Grand Velas Riviera Maya was built and is operated by Eduardo Vela Ruiz, founder and president of Velas Resorts, with brother Juan Vela, vice president of Velas Resorts, by his side.