Tarahumara Indians of Mexico (Modern Cave and Cliff Dwellers)

Tarahumara (Raramuri, in their native tongue) are an indigenous people of northern Mexico that retreated to the near inaccessible Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre when Spanish explorers arrived. Today, they still maintain their semi-nomadic way of life with complete disregard for modern technology and conveniences. theirir spiritual beliefs have recently been combined with some catholic teachings since a few Jesuit missions were able to reach their remote locations.

These hardy people are renowned for their long-distance running ability, sometimes as far as 100 Miles without stopping to catch animals such as deer. These abilities are also in apparent in "foot throwing" competitions where participants in relay races kick wooden balls. can last 2-3 days including running day and night.

Their dress is colorful (especially the females) and decorated with traditional bold patterns. The Tarahumara still keeps to themselves, rarely intermarrying or even intermixing with the general world.

Most Tarahumara still practice a traditional lifestyle, inhabiting natural shelters such as caves or cliff overhangs and observe strict ceremonial practices. They live a simple life without modern technology and usually migrate during the year while cultivating corn and beans.

The tarahumara use violins, flutes and drums for their religious ceremonies and festival dances. Violins were introduced to the Tarahumara by the Spanish missionaries in the 1600 's the hand carving these instruments ever since. The violins usually have a Tarahumara face carved into the head of the violin. This is believed to give the instrument a soul so that the gods may hear the player.

Tarahumara religion is characterized by a belief that the afterlife is a mirror image of the mortal world, and that good deeds must be performed for a reward, but for the improvement of the soul is represented by a moth After three reincarnated lives. This end is purely a continuation of the order of life and not concerned as negative or a punishment. In Tarahumara cosmology, The Devil and God are brothers (the Devil is the God, using pure clay, created the Tarahumara. God has a wife who dwells with him in heaven, The devil is not to necessarily evil, but is tainted through its ties with the "Chabochi" (non-Raramuri). The Devil is said to sometimes cooperate with God to arrange fitting punishments. In some cases, with In essence, the Devil is as much much protector and life-giver to the Chabochis as God is to the Tarahumara.

It is very powerful

Some seems ancient religion has bred into the Tarahumara a moral code so strict that they are incapable of it. Some psychologists even suggest that over the centuries this value system has been caused Learn more on native Mexico history the Tarahumara and their hand-made ceremonial objects.