| January 18: |
The Mazo Kova Pahko (Deer Head) Ceremony: is held
to commemorate the massacre of 400 Hiaki individuals
at Maso Kova in the Vakateeve (tall bamboo) Mountains
in Rio Hiaki, Sonora, Mexico. This massacre occurred
on January of 1900. This ceremony is held in Pascua
Pueblo. Prayer Leaders, Kantoras (Female Singers)
the oficios (Pahko’ola Dance Group) and (Deer Dance
Group) will also participate in this memorial. These
participants may include: Pahko’ola Dancers (3),
Deer Dancer (1), Deer Dance Singers (3), Violinist (1),
Harpist (1), Pahko’ola Moro (Assistant for Pahko’ola
group) (1), Maso Moro (Assistant for Deer Dance
group) (1) It is an evening ceremony. Participants
from Sonora, Mexico may be requested to participate
if we are unable to locate enough tekiakame (ceremonial
persons) in the five local Hiaki communities. |
| February: |
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The processions and
weekend ceremonials begin and the Prayer Leaders,
Kantoras (Female singers) Kiyohteis (Female Church
Assistants) Vanteareom (Female Flag Bearers)
Anhelitom (Angels) Padrinos and Madrinas (Godparents)
and Kohtumvre Ya’ura (Fariseo Society) and pueblo will
participate in the Friday processions. These societies,
(except the angels) as well as the oficios for the
Pahko’ola and Deer Dance Society will participate in the
weekend ceremonials. The oficios for the Pahko’ola and
Deer Dance Societies are noted above. The Lenten
activities last for seven weeks. The ceremonials begin
early Saturday morning and culminate on Sunday
afternoon. They members of the above societies will
participate in their own respective communities. When
Lent is over, the oficios (Pahko’olas & Deer Dancer) will
usually remain in the Hiaki communities until the Holy
Cross ceremonies are over. These are described below. |
| May 2: |
The Feast of the Holy Cross (Santa Cruz Pahko):
This ceremony occurs on May 2nd. However, the
Vespers (Vispera) are usually offered the night prior to
the actual Holy Cross ceremony. This is an all-night
ceremony where the oficios (Pahko’ola and Deer
Dance Societies) as well as the Prayer Leaders will
participate. The ceremony ends on Sunday, around
midday (depends on the community) |
| June 24th: |
St John Feast Day (San Juan Pahko): This feast will
begin around the 24th of June. Ceremonial people
from Sonora are usually requested to come to Arizona
prior to San Juan’s day in order to participate in the
Vespers (Vispera) ceremony which begins one day prior
to the actual ceremony. |
| June 30: |
San Ignatius Feast Day (Fiesta de San Ignacio):
This ceremony is celebrated in Old Pascua in Tucson.
The Vespers (Vispera) occurs a day earlier or it may
begin that same day, hours earlier. The Prayer Leaders,
Kantoras, Kiyohteis as well as the oficios (Pasko’ola and
Deer Dance Group) will participate in this ceremony.
This is an overnight ceremony which will culminate
midday on Sunday, depending on the community. |
| August 8: |
Feast Day of Our Lord of Miracles (Fiesta del
Senor de Los Milagros): This ceremony is celebrated at
the church of Senor de Los Milagros located at the
corner of 16th and 44th St. in Tucson. Ceremonial
participants may be asked to arrive a day early in order to
participate in the Vespers (Vispera) which occurs one
day early on Friday. The Prayer Leaders, Kantoras and
the oficios from the Pahko’ola and Deer Dance Soceities
usually participate in this ceremony. The ceremony
culminates on Sunday at midday. |
| September 18: |
Pascua Yaqui Tribe Recognition Day: On this day the
Pascua Yaqui Tribe celebrates its annual Federal Tribal
Recognition Day activities. Prayer Leaders, Kantoras,
and the oficios from the Pahko’ola and Deer Dance
societies participate in this activity. This is a one day
activity which culminates around midnight of that same
day. |
| October 1: |
Month of the Return of the Spirits of the Deceased:
During this month, beginning on the 1st of October, the
Prayer Leaders and the Kantoras will offer prayers for the
spirits of the Deceased beginning on the 1st Monday of
the month and continuing each Monday of the entire
month of October. These prayers are usually offered at
the local community church. |
| November 1: |
All Souls Day: On this day some traditional families
will set a table in their private residences and ask the
Prayer Leaders and the Kantoras to offer prayers for the
spirits of the deceased. This activity begins at midday
and continues through the night. All the Hiaki communities
celebrate this activity. |
| November 2: |
All Saints Day: The Prayer Leaders and Kantoras, as
well as the Matachinim (Matachin Society dancers)
participate in offering prayers at the local cemeteries.
This ceremony begins early in the morning and lasts
through midnight. It is celebrated in New Pascua and
Guadalupe. |
| October/Nov: |
St. Jude Feast (Fiesta de San Judas): This Saint day is
cerebrated by families during these months. Prayer
Leaders, Kantoras, Kiyohteis and the oficios (Pahko’ola
and Deer Dance Societies) participate in this fiesta. This
is an all night ceremony. |
| December: |
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Itom Ae Waalupe): This
ceremony is celebrated in all five communities as well as
at the private residences of our community members
throughout the month of December. The actual feast day
is December 12th. The Prayer Leaders, Kantoras and
oficios (Pahko’ola and Deer Dance societies) are
involved in this ceremonial which traditionally lasts
throughout the night. Vespers are also offered one day
prior to the actual Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe.
Vespers would take place on the 11th of December. |