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At the present time four indigenous groups live in the sierra. – About 80,000 people in all: 3000 Tepehuanes in the southern part, 2000 Varohíos in the western zone, 1000 Pimas in the northwestern area and more than 70,000 Tarahumara s in the central, southern and eastern regions.

THE RARAMURI

The Tarahumara or Raramuri, as they call themselves are considered to be the purest and best conserved ethnic group in the entire American continent, and they have given their name to the mountain range in which they live.

The Raramuri preserve their culture as the most important legacy passed on to them by their ancestors. Their culture and spiritual values are the result of thousand s of years of struggle, which has filled them with an intensity of life a special form of existence, and a sense of harmony in human relations and in their relationship with nature, the likes of modern society, with all of the technological advancement, has been unable to 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.

Among the most deeply rooted traditions is that of living in dispersed communities and sowing seasonal crops, especially corn and beans. The Tarahumara communities are autonomous, and the highest authority in each is the siríame or governor, who gathers the community together every Sunday in the atrium of the church to deal with matters of collective concern and to give a nawésari or sermon.

Tarahumara fiestas are highly unusual, especially that of Holly Week, which is the most important of all, which the people consider as the center of community life. Other festivals are also beautiful, especially that of the Virgin of Guadalupe and those of the patron saints. The Holly Week festival in Norogachi has become famous. It is celebrated with traditional rituals in the Raramuri spirit, using typical colorful dress, and ancient musical instruments such as drums and flutes.

The Rarámuri produce an ample selection of handicrafts, including tools, decorative pieces, pots, wool blankets, bags, skirts, blouses, violins, drums, etc. They are famous for being long-distance runners, due to the fact that some of their most important game is the ball race among the men, or rarajipari, and the game in which the women hurl hoops or rings, known as rowema. Those races are run by teams and cover distances of more than 100 kilometers. The longest race in contemporary memory, and perhaps the longest of all times, was once that went on for 750 kilometers.

In keeping with their vision of the cosmos, the Rarámuri 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.
The Rarámuri value people more than things, and respect for human beings is essential in their culture. Sharing is the basis of the social life, and much of their work is done communally. They also share their traditional drink, tesgüino, made from fermented corn.

According to their philosophical conception, God is the onorúame, both father and mother. The spiritual guides and doctors are the owirúames, who possess a high degree of authority and influence. For the Rarámuri, the dance is the prayer, and it is in this way that they communicate with God.

The Rarámuri 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 its traditions and concepts.

There is a great deal to say about the Tarahumara, but the most important thing of all is to get to know the people directly, respect them, and learn about all positive aspects of their culture, which will surely enrich all of us.