Probably the most well know and easily recognized ceremonial figure is the Yaqui Deer Dancer (the Mayo also have a Deer Dancer as part of their ceremonial life). The Deer Dance (Maso Yihua) and the Deer Song (Maso Bwikam) were part of the Yaqui culture before the arrival of the Spanish. The language used in the deer song and the instruments played, water drum and rasps, were all pre-European. It is believed that the Deer Dance originally was associated with hunting and was a means of securing the appropriate relationship with the animal to be hunted (ceremonies for the same purpose as a part of the belief of many indigenous peoples in Africa and America). Today, it reminds the Yaquis of their long history, and of their traditions and beliefs. As with any belief that relies on oral transmission from generation to generation, there are differing versions, and also different opinions today as to the meaning symbolized by the Deer Dancer. Some feel it is good versus evil, others that it deals with the flower world and the animal world, and some that it teaches the giving of oneself for the benefit of the community. Given any or all of these beliefs, it is a powerful reminder to a Yoeme of what it is to be a Yaqui.

     The Deer Dancer dances in the company of 3 Pascolas (Pahko'ola - Old Man of the Ceremony) The musicians accompaning the Deer Dancer play the water drum and rasps. The costume of the Deer Dancer is highlighted by the stuffed head of a male deer which he wears on top of his own head. The deer head rests on a white kerchief which covers the dancers head and partially covers his eyes. There are red ribbons in the antlers of the deer head. The dancer's torso is bare, and he wears a necklace with stylized shell crosses which represent the 4 corners of the world or the 4 worlds, or perhaps was added when Catholicism was added to the Yaqui beliefs. He wears a coyole belt with tinklers made from the hoofs of deer (or today goat or other animals). wrapped around his ankles. Part way up both legs he has a teneboihm, a string of moth cocoons with pebbles or several large grains of sand inserted in them so they can act as rattles. He has a round gourd rattle in each hand. The Pascolas appearing with him are masked, and they have their own musicians, the tampaleo a flutist- drummer. His drum is approximately 12" in diameter and coverd with skin (usually goat) on both sides. The flute is fairly long, made of cane and decorated. It has a finger holes on the top and the bottom. At other times the pascola dance to the music of the harp and the violin.