Tarahumara

The Tarahumara, also known as the Rarámuri, are an indigenous people of northern Mexico, concentrated in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Chihuahua, with smaller communities in Durango and Sonora. They speak the Rarámuri language, a member of the Uto-Aztecan family, and many are bilingual in Spanish. The population is estimated in the tens of thousands.

Traditionally, the Rarámuri live in rugged, canyon-filled terrain and practice maize-based agriculture, growing corn, beans, squash, and other crops on terraced fields and hillside plots. They also gather wild foods and hunt to supplement their diet. Social organization centers on villages and extended families, with leadership often provided by elders and traditional healers known as curanderos. Catholicism has influenced many practices, leading to a blend of indigenous beliefs and Christian rites.

The Tarahumara are renowned for long-distance running, a central aspect of their culture. Rarámuri runners historically travel great distances by foot, often in challenging terrain, for transportation, ceremonial purposes, and competitive events. Runners typically use simple footwear, including sandals known as huaraches, or run barefoot.

Contemporary Tarahumara communities face pressures from poverty, land and resource conflicts, and environmental change. Access to education, healthcare, and markets varies by location, and many communities balance traditional practices with outside economic and social influences. Despite challenges, the Rarámuri continue to maintain distinctive linguistic, agricultural, and athletic traditions.