| Raramuri Indians |
The Raramuri are a gentle tribe of Indians that have lived in the Upper Sierra for
over 10,000 years now. There numbers stay just about the same at around 60,000
so there is a unique balance in life and death.
We shall endeavor to give you some basic information here to help you
understand and, hopefully,not misinterpret this culture of gentle and
self-sufficient beings.
Check out our other website: www.amigos3.com
over 10,000 years now. There numbers stay just about the same at around 60,000
so there is a unique balance in life and death.
We shall endeavor to give you some basic information here to help you
understand and, hopefully,not misinterpret this culture of gentle and
self-sufficient beings.
Check out our other website: www.amigos3.com
The 3 Amigos & Amigo Trails Travel
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The Raramuri Indians (sometimes called Tarahumara)
| Raramuri girl |
The Raramuri are believed to be the purest and best preserved ethnic group
on the entire American continent. Their culture and spiritual values are a result
of thousands of years of struggle, which has filled them with an intensity for life
and a sense of harmny in human relations and in their relationship with
nature, the likes of which our modern society, with all of its technological
advancement, has been unable to understand or attain.
Many of the current Raramuri traditions are based on their application of what
they learned from Jesuit missionaries during 150 years of colonial rule.
Expelled from the order in 1776, the Raramuri reinterpreted Christianity and
cast the symbols and rites in their own molds, disregarding that which held no
meaning for them and preserving and adapting the rest in accord with their
own cultural symbols.
Among the most deeply rooted traditions is that of living in dispersed
communities and sowing seasonal crops, especially corn. The corn is
essential to life to the Raramuri. There is nothing without it. The corn is
harvested to make tesguino, their ceremonial drink of choice. The tesguino is
drank in celebration to bring the rains which grow the corn. The corn grows
because the tesguino was used to bring the rains...it is their circle of life.
The Raramuri produce an ample selection of handicrafts in various different
areas of the Sierra. They are famous for being long distance runners, due to
the fact that some of their most important games are the ball race among the
men, or Rarajipari, and the game in which the women hurl hoops or rings,
known as Rowema. These races are run by teams and cover distances of
more than 100 kilomters. The longest race in contemporary memory was one
that went on for 750 kilometers!
In keeping with their vision of the cosmos, the Raramuri consider themselves
an integral part of the earth on which they live, of nature, and of the universe.
For them, the earth is life itself. They value people more than things and
respect for human beings is essential in their culture. Sharing is the basis of
their social life and much of their work is done communally. According to their
philosophy, God is the Onoruame, both father and mother. The spiritual guides
and doctors are the Owiruames, who possess a high degree of authority and
influence. For the Raramuri, the dance is the prayer and it is in this way that
they communicate with God.
The Raramuri are the conscience of the Sierra. They are not objects for tourists
to observe as they travel through the mountains, but a people that seek to live
in accord with it's own traditions and concepts. Get to know them directly.
Respect them and learn about all the positive aspects of their culture, which
will surely enrich us all.
Best way to help the Raramuri:
We must caution those who wish to "help" the Raramuri, that these people are
not in dire need of anything. They are self sufficient, proud and completely
capable of taking care of themselves without the interference offered by those
who would like to see them progressing in a way that isn't in line with their
culture or traditions.
If you feel you must help them in some way, please do so with the
understanding that you should help them in a way that THEY need, not in the
ways that you THINK they need. By this we mean; 1.)don't bring second hand
American clothing to them. This only helps to obliterate their own culture.
Instead, come to Creel and buy them the beautiful colored cloth that they prefer
in 10 meter lengths so that they can sew their own traditional clothing from it.
Shoes and socks that they prefer to wear can also be purchased here and
used for donations and this will help the community of Creel as well. 2.)
School supplies are lovely but not all Raramuri attend schools. Instead, why
not visit a particular area where Raramuri gather and ask them what they
would benefit from most? "Dispensas", or Care Packages are invaluable to
them and you can buy all you need for these here in Creel as well. A great
Dispensa will include: dried beans, dried rice, cornmeal, flour, lard, salt,
coffee, tea, sugar and perhaps some cookies for the kids. 3.) Don't assume
that all Raramuri need or want your help. Instead, go to outlying Raramuri
ejidos and ask if you can bring them anything specific or just take Dispensas
and cloth for all. The area around large towns have become saturated with
"good will workers" and help from abroad. Why not try to find some villages that
are so far out that no one is helping them? We can offer you suggestions for
this if you but ask us.
And lastly, please keep in mind that there are very poor Mexicans here as well
who would benefit enormously from any help you would like to provide and they
would certainly like to see their lives improved in ways that we will all agree
with. There is an orphanage in Creel in great need of assistance too. Please
ask us for any other information you might need in locating persons or
communities in need of a bit of assitance.
Thank you all for all your kind thoughts, deeds and words...
on the entire American continent. Their culture and spiritual values are a result
of thousands of years of struggle, which has filled them with an intensity for life
and a sense of harmny in human relations and in their relationship with
nature, the likes of which our modern society, with all of its technological
advancement, has been unable to understand or attain.
Many of the current Raramuri traditions are based on their application of what
they learned from Jesuit missionaries during 150 years of colonial rule.
Expelled from the order in 1776, the Raramuri reinterpreted Christianity and
cast the symbols and rites in their own molds, disregarding that which held no
meaning for them and preserving and adapting the rest in accord with their
own cultural symbols.
Among the most deeply rooted traditions is that of living in dispersed
communities and sowing seasonal crops, especially corn. The corn is
essential to life to the Raramuri. There is nothing without it. The corn is
harvested to make tesguino, their ceremonial drink of choice. The tesguino is
drank in celebration to bring the rains which grow the corn. The corn grows
because the tesguino was used to bring the rains...it is their circle of life.
The Raramuri produce an ample selection of handicrafts in various different
areas of the Sierra. They are famous for being long distance runners, due to
the fact that some of their most important games are the ball race among the
men, or Rarajipari, and the game in which the women hurl hoops or rings,
known as Rowema. These races are run by teams and cover distances of
more than 100 kilomters. The longest race in contemporary memory was one
that went on for 750 kilometers!
In keeping with their vision of the cosmos, the Raramuri consider themselves
an integral part of the earth on which they live, of nature, and of the universe.
For them, the earth is life itself. They value people more than things and
respect for human beings is essential in their culture. Sharing is the basis of
their social life and much of their work is done communally. According to their
philosophy, God is the Onoruame, both father and mother. The spiritual guides
and doctors are the Owiruames, who possess a high degree of authority and
influence. For the Raramuri, the dance is the prayer and it is in this way that
they communicate with God.
The Raramuri are the conscience of the Sierra. They are not objects for tourists
to observe as they travel through the mountains, but a people that seek to live
in accord with it's own traditions and concepts. Get to know them directly.
Respect them and learn about all the positive aspects of their culture, which
will surely enrich us all.
Best way to help the Raramuri:
We must caution those who wish to "help" the Raramuri, that these people are
not in dire need of anything. They are self sufficient, proud and completely
capable of taking care of themselves without the interference offered by those
who would like to see them progressing in a way that isn't in line with their
culture or traditions.
If you feel you must help them in some way, please do so with the
understanding that you should help them in a way that THEY need, not in the
ways that you THINK they need. By this we mean; 1.)don't bring second hand
American clothing to them. This only helps to obliterate their own culture.
Instead, come to Creel and buy them the beautiful colored cloth that they prefer
in 10 meter lengths so that they can sew their own traditional clothing from it.
Shoes and socks that they prefer to wear can also be purchased here and
used for donations and this will help the community of Creel as well. 2.)
School supplies are lovely but not all Raramuri attend schools. Instead, why
not visit a particular area where Raramuri gather and ask them what they
would benefit from most? "Dispensas", or Care Packages are invaluable to
them and you can buy all you need for these here in Creel as well. A great
Dispensa will include: dried beans, dried rice, cornmeal, flour, lard, salt,
coffee, tea, sugar and perhaps some cookies for the kids. 3.) Don't assume
that all Raramuri need or want your help. Instead, go to outlying Raramuri
ejidos and ask if you can bring them anything specific or just take Dispensas
and cloth for all. The area around large towns have become saturated with
"good will workers" and help from abroad. Why not try to find some villages that
are so far out that no one is helping them? We can offer you suggestions for
this if you but ask us.
And lastly, please keep in mind that there are very poor Mexicans here as well
who would benefit enormously from any help you would like to provide and they
would certainly like to see their lives improved in ways that we will all agree
with. There is an orphanage in Creel in great need of assistance too. Please
ask us for any other information you might need in locating persons or
communities in need of a bit of assitance.
Thank you all for all your kind thoughts, deeds and words...
| Basket making as an industry |
| Raramuri at work |
| Judas's - Semana Santa Celebration |
| Working in Divisadero |
We received a donation in
December 2006 from The
Sunsetty Hiking Group in the
USA. We are very happy to say
that we have spent this money
on the Raramuri Indians in the
village of Pitorreal about 1/2
outside of Divisadero. We have
given out Dispensas (care
packages of food staples),
blankets and helped to build a
house for an individual
Raramuri woman who has
been struggling to finish it for
over 5 years. We were able to
put on the roof, doors and
windows for her and she is
living very comfortably inside
now with her family.
Please have a look at the
collection of photos that we've
taken (to the right) to see how
this money was spent.
December 2006 from The
Sunsetty Hiking Group in the
USA. We are very happy to say
that we have spent this money
on the Raramuri Indians in the
village of Pitorreal about 1/2
outside of Divisadero. We have
given out Dispensas (care
packages of food staples),
blankets and helped to build a
house for an individual
Raramuri woman who has
been struggling to finish it for
over 5 years. We were able to
put on the roof, doors and
windows for her and she is
living very comfortably inside
now with her family.
Please have a look at the
collection of photos that we've
taken (to the right) to see how
this money was spent.
