Tarahumara are the aboriginals of America who live in northern Mexico. They are famous for their athletic stamina because they can very long distances without being tired. The original Tarahumara people were forced to migrate from the state of Chihuahua towards the Copper Canyon when Spanish explorers came in the sixteenth century. The Sierra Madre Occidental is also a called as Sierra Tarahumara due to the fact they live in this area. Current statistics tell that their current population is around fifty to seventy thousand people. They still live in old times as their life style is still like their ancestors. They live in caves, man-made shelters or small cells made of wood or stone. They cultivate traditional crops like corn and beans and raise cattle. But they don’t remain stagnant and move from one place to another through out the year. They still speak Tarahumara language.
The translation of Raramuri or Tarahumara is “runners on foot” but there is conflicting views on this meaning. Their running developed due to the fact they used to run long distances because of the scattered patches of populated area. So it was the need of the time to have fast communication between different settlements. The fast running activity has some other purposes to serve. For example, they used to run fast to win a race and other contests in different festivals and ceremonies.
The Tarahumara people now practice a blend of original customs and Christianity. Their belief is very materialistic one. They believe that the second life is the real image of worldly life. If worldly life is good then the other one is also good. They believe in to strive for good life in the world to have the same after the death.
Tarahumara
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