The pahko'ola -Pascola dancer means "Old Man of the Ceremony". The term comes from two words: pahko -ceremony and o'ola -an affectionate term for old man. The two words pahkola'ola were shortened into pahko'ola or pahkola and is pronounced pascola in Spanish.

The pahko'ola has many roles. He is first of all, the historian of the Yoemem, the Yaqui people. He keeps the history of the people alive through the legends, myths and sermons, and jokes. He is the host of the Pahko, and is an entertainer, with his jokes, stories and antics.

The pahko'ola represents nature, with his animal mask, which is usually that of a goat. The symbols on the mask represent man's closeness to nature. The triangular design around the edge of the mask represents the rays of the sun. The sun symbol, seen by some as a cross shape, represents the source of our energy and home of Itom Achai Taa, Our Father. We say that our ancestor's home is in the East where the sun rises - Taa'ata yeu weye vetana. The sun is the home of our ancestors, the stars. Those who die, first enter the sun, then become a star. We celebrate with our ancestors through the star symbols on the mask.

The small animal designs represent nature -the frog, lizard, snake, etc. These symbols represent our closeness and respect for all nature.

The hopo'orosim - abalone or mother-of -pearl necklace, is protection from evil and has the Yoeme sun symbol, shaped like a cross. The sun symbol represents the four directions: east, west, north and south. We celebrate with the animals of the sea through the hopo'orosim.

The koyoolim - sleigh bell belt, represents the seven stars of the constellation, Big Dipper. Each of the seven bells is also a prayer. Each bell presents one of the original seven Yoeme villages in Rio Yaqui. Later, an eighth village was formed by the Spaniards to over see the other seven villages, like a guardian.

The sena'asom, the hand rattle, is made of carved wood and metal disks and represents the plant world.