Tarahumara Story

The Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico´s northern state of Chihuaha is home of the Tarahumaras. This 100,00 strong indigenous tribe is spread out across Baranaca de Cobre, Copper Canyon, which is four times larger than the Grand Canyon. They are considered to be ethnically, the purest tribe in the Americas. Their customs have not changed for centuries. Their conscious choice to reject western culture by which they are surrounded has enabled them to survive intact. When missionaries arrived in this region at the start of the 17th century they had no difficulties in converting the Tarahumaras to christianity. Father God and mother God, heaven and hell were at the core of their pagan beliefs. The concept of the ´soul´ differs in that they possess several souls which reside and protect different parts of their bodies.

They were left in relative freedom to adapt christianity and combine it with their own pagan beliefs. As a result their festive celebrations are difficult to comprehend but fascinating to observe.