Voolo-Hiaki Wedding Ceremony

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This is a description of a Yaqui Indian Wedding Ceremony.

The Pascolas dress in regular street clothes except for the tenevoim and the koyolim. The padrinos put the scarves and ribbons on the pascolas. The pascola, representing the bride wears a pink scarf and a pink ribbon on his hair,  which is tied in a topknot. The padrinos also put scarves and ribbons on the laveleo and apaleo, who are the musicians and wait at the groom's home. The bride's pascola is at the bride's home and the groom's pascola is at the groom's home.

The pascola, acting as if he is the bride, cries and wails like a young woman and carries on about having to leave her parent's home. He carries a basket with toiletries, as he walks with the wedding party to the groom's home.

The bride's padrinos are carrying bundles or baskets or food decorated with pink ribbons. When they arrive at the front of the groom's home, they place the food on a blanket, which has been placed in front of the patio cross. The patio  cross has been decorated with crepe paper flowers and ribbons. Most Yaqui homes contain a patio cross that is located in the front of the yard.

The food bundles and baskets from the bride's padrinos and family members are also decorated with pink ribbons. They contain tamales, bread, tortillas and sweet bread. They also have bucket of vannaim, the sweet pudding made from piloncillo.

The bride's family stands in front of the patio cross and the groom's family stands behind the patio cross. The food baskets and bundles are place on the blanket by both parties. The bride's family brings  a Maehto to speak for them. The groom's family has also brought a spokesperson with them.

The daughters in law that have married into the groom's family take the young bride and show her the patio. They tell her that this is the patio where she will sweep, they then take her to the house and show her where she will cook and wash dishes. At one point, the mother in-law leads her to the metate and corn supplies to show her where she will grind the corn. Then she is taken to a back room where the groom is waiting. They leave the bride alone with the groom.  The bride's family is then asked to sit down and eat. A plate of food is taken to the bride and groom who are still in the room. After everyone has eaten, the bride and groom are brought outside and the Maehto begins to counsel and advise them.

The pahko then begins and the pascolas play all afternoon, at times mimicking the newlyweds. The lavaleo and apaleo play Hamut Bwanim, Vino Huktia and Mamnia Saalim. (Women's Cry, Choke on Wine and Greens)