The peyote cult

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

77791

Title

The peyote cult

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Weston La Barre's ethnographic study examines the peyote cult across fifteen Native American tribes, tracing its diffusion from Mexican origins to the Plains. Blending anthropological rigor with fieldwork from the 1930s, the text explores ritual symbolism, altar construction, and the cultural synthesis of indigenous and Christian elements within the Native American Church.

Summary up to 500 words

Weston La Barre's *The Peyote Cult* stands as a foundational anthropological survey documenting the evolution of peyotism among fifteen Native American tribes, including the Kiowa, Comanche, and Caddo. Drawing on fieldwork conducted in 1935 and 1936, La Barre meticulously distinguishes the cactus peyote from the erroneous historical identification of the Aztec narcotic mushroom, *teo-nanacatl*. By citing Spanish colonial records, he clarifies that the cactus and the fungus are distinct entities, correcting misconceptions that had persisted in earlier ethnobotanical studies. The text provides a detailed examination of ritual practices, focusing on the construction of ceremonial altars known as 'moons' and the symbolic use of ashes. La Barre illustrates how pre-Columbian traditions were integrated with Christian iconography, noting that ash figures often represented birds, hearts, and graves. He identifies specific tribal roles in the religion's development: the Kiowa as standardizers who preserved earlier forms, the Comanche as proselytizers and missionaries, and the Caddo as innovators who introduced new symbolic variations. The work highlights the complex sociological structure of the Native American Church, detailing the roles of leaders like John Wilson and the efforts to standardize ritual forms against a backdrop of individualistic innovation. Furthermore, the book offers extensive descriptions of fire rituals, wood selection, and the specific symbolism of ash figures, such as the 'water bird' and 'sun eagle.' La Barre notes that while variations in altar construction were common, a general movement eventually returned to more 'pure' original forms. The study also addresses the physiological effects of the plant, distinguishing between the intoxicating properties of the cactus and other narcotics like *chinaberry* seeds. Ultimately, *The Peyote Cult* serves as a critical resource for understanding the ethnobotany, ritual practices, and historical diffusion of peyotism across the Plains and Southeastern regions, preserving the voices of numerous informants and leaders who shaped the religion's trajectory.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/77791.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg77791.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-07 05:46 UTC

Categories

• Religion
• Indians of North America