Where and how is Datura still traditionally used today?
The bastion of Datura cult use is still in the American Southwest and northern Mexico. Datura is, however, still used in Africa, India, China, and virtually anywhere else it can be found. The rituals involved vary considerably… from pubery initiation to divination. For a full discussion see Yerba del Diablo. In Mexico the groups using various daturas include the Huichol, Yaqui, Tarahumara, and at least several Maya groups including the Lacondon. In the Southwestern United States the Chumash (now extinct), Navajo, Zuni, Yokuts, Mohave, Yuma, Desert Cahuilla, Western Mono, Shoshoni, Kitanemuk, Luiseno, and Hopi have used or still use Datura in some way. I’m sure there are others as well. In Africa the Tsonga use Datura in female puberty initiation rites. The Algonquin of Michigan traditionally use a brew of D. stramonium for divination. In general, in addition to being used medicinally, Datura is freqently used to aid in acquiring a dream helper/guardian (often during puberty initiatio
