top of page
The Rarámuri or Tarahumara are a group of indigenous people of the Americas living in the state of Chihuahua in Mexico. They are renowned for their long-distance running ability.
Originally inhabitants of much of Chihuahua, the Rarámuri retreated to the high sierras and canyons such as the Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre Occidental on the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. The area of the Sierra Madre Occidental which they now inhabit is often called the Sierra Tarahumara because of their presence. Most still practise a traditional lifestyle, including inhabiting natural shelters (caves or cliff overhangs). Staple crops are corn and beans; however, many of the Rarámuri still practise transhumance, raising cattle, sheep, and goats. Almost all Rarámuri migrate from one place to another during the course of a year. The Tarahumara word for themselves, Rarámuri, means "runners on foot" or "those who run fast" in their native tongue according to some early ethnographers like Norwegian Carl Lumholtz, though this interpretation has not been fully agreed upon. With widely dispersed settlements, these people developed a tradition of long-distance running up to 200 miles (320 km) in one session, over a period of two days through their homeland of rough canyon country, for inter-village communication, transportation, and hunting.
The Tarahumara's use of huaraches, a traditional form of minimal footwear, when running has been the subject of scientific study,as well as journalistic discourse.In his book, Born to Run, author Christopher McDougall argues in favor of the endurance running hypothesis and the barefoot running movement based on his time with the Tarahumara people and their running in huaraches.
The long-distance running tradition also has ceremonial and competitive aspects. Often, men kick wooden balls as they run in "foot throwing", rarajipari, competitions, and women use a stick and hoop. The foot throwing races are relays where the balls are kicked by the runners and relayed to the next runner while teammates run ahead to the next relay point. These races can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days without a break.
Originally inhabitants of much of Chihuahua, the Rarámuri retreated to the high sierras and canyons such as the Copper Canyon in the Sierra Madre Occidental on the arrival of Spanish colonizers in the 16th century. The area of the Sierra Madre Occidental which they now inhabit is often called the Sierra Tarahumara because of their presence. Most still practise a traditional lifestyle, including inhabiting natural shelters (caves or cliff overhangs). Staple crops are corn and beans; however, many of the Rarámuri still practise transhumance, raising cattle, sheep, and goats. Almost all Rarámuri migrate from one place to another during the course of a year. The Tarahumara word for themselves, Rarámuri, means "runners on foot" or "those who run fast" in their native tongue according to some early ethnographers like Norwegian Carl Lumholtz, though this interpretation has not been fully agreed upon. With widely dispersed settlements, these people developed a tradition of long-distance running up to 200 miles (320 km) in one session, over a period of two days through their homeland of rough canyon country, for inter-village communication, transportation, and hunting.
The Tarahumara's use of huaraches, a traditional form of minimal footwear, when running has been the subject of scientific study,as well as journalistic discourse.In his book, Born to Run, author Christopher McDougall argues in favor of the endurance running hypothesis and the barefoot running movement based on his time with the Tarahumara people and their running in huaraches.
The long-distance running tradition also has ceremonial and competitive aspects. Often, men kick wooden balls as they run in "foot throwing", rarajipari, competitions, and women use a stick and hoop. The foot throwing races are relays where the balls are kicked by the runners and relayed to the next runner while teammates run ahead to the next relay point. These races can last anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days without a break.
I tarahumara costituiscono una popolazione che risiede nell'attuale territorio del Chihuahua (Messico). Tra di loro si definiscono rarámuri, che significa "pianta idonea per la corsa" in riferimento alla pratica della corsa che è tipica di questo popolo, mentre tarahumara è il termine con cui vennero chiamati dagli spagnoli. Tarahumara identifica anche la lingua parlata da questo popolo.
Si stima che la popolazione dei Tarahumara si aggiri fra i 50.000 e i 70.000 individui. La maggior parte ha ancora uno stile di vita tradizionale: vivono in ripari naturali come le grotte fra le montagne o in piccole capanne di legno o di pietra. L'agricoltura è basata sul mais e sui fagioli. Praticato è anche l'allevamento e molti Tarahumara sono transumanti.
Il linguaggio tarahumara è della famiglia uto-azteca. Benché in declino a causa dell'invadenza dello spagnolo, è ancora parlato. I tarahumara sono molto religiosi ma non vi sono luoghi esplicitamente destinati al culto. Buona parte delle tradizioni attuali dei tarahumara derivano da tradizioni apprese durante quasi 150 anni di convivenza con i missionari gesuiti nel corso dell'epoca colonialeSi può affermare che i tarahumara abbiano difeso le proprie tradizioni culturali con sorprendente tenacia. Da svariati secoli impiegano gli stessi disegni e i medesimi simboli nelle opere d'arte. Inoltre, utilizzano gli stessi utensili tradizionali.
Si stima che la popolazione dei Tarahumara si aggiri fra i 50.000 e i 70.000 individui. La maggior parte ha ancora uno stile di vita tradizionale: vivono in ripari naturali come le grotte fra le montagne o in piccole capanne di legno o di pietra. L'agricoltura è basata sul mais e sui fagioli. Praticato è anche l'allevamento e molti Tarahumara sono transumanti.
Il linguaggio tarahumara è della famiglia uto-azteca. Benché in declino a causa dell'invadenza dello spagnolo, è ancora parlato. I tarahumara sono molto religiosi ma non vi sono luoghi esplicitamente destinati al culto. Buona parte delle tradizioni attuali dei tarahumara derivano da tradizioni apprese durante quasi 150 anni di convivenza con i missionari gesuiti nel corso dell'epoca colonialeSi può affermare che i tarahumara abbiano difeso le proprie tradizioni culturali con sorprendente tenacia. Da svariati secoli impiegano gli stessi disegni e i medesimi simboli nelle opere d'arte. Inoltre, utilizzano gli stessi utensili tradizionali.
bottom of page