On Saturday, January 20, the Thrive in the 05 community celebrated the unveiling of a new mural at the Old Pascua Community Center, by Thrive in the 05 artist, Salvador Sahuaqui.
This mural celebrates the area’s rich and diverse history, paying homage to the Pascua Yaqui Tribe and Old Pascua’s cultural heritage.
Central to the mural is the word “Yoeme,” which in the Yaqui language means “The People.” This piece artistically narrates the journey of the Yaqui people to the Northern regions and their connection to the O’odham Jewed (Tohono O’odham land). It serves as a powerful reminder to honor and recognize the profound history of these lands.
Saluaqui’s mural is rich in symbolism and personal storytelling. Each letter in “Yoeme” is adorned with imagery that weaves together the tapestry of Yaqui history and tradition. The background features a geometric design with multiple columns, separated by a red band, each brimming with symbolic significance. At the heart of the mural is a depiction of the cosmos, symbolizing the unity of all forms of life under the rays of Ta’a (the sun).
This project is funded by the Thrive in the 05 Action Activity dollars and is managed by the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona.
