Tarahumaras

Tarahumaras

The Tarahumara are an indigenous people of Mexico, settled in the territory of the state of Chihuahua; their endonym is ralámuli. The Tarahumara occupy a quarter of the territory in southwestern Chihuahua State (65,000 km ²), one of the highest parts of the Sierra Madre Occidental, also known as the Sierra Tarahumara, Within the four groups of Indians who are settled in the Sierra Tarahumara number around 85.316 inhabitants. The environment where the Tarahumara live imposes the existence of small families, the Tarahumara home-the most persistent and defined in its life-unit responds to the original forms of psychology and by securing the economic foundations of marriage, fulfills a vital social function.The inhabitants, mestizo and indigenous of Tarahumara community living in a social environment that does not favor rarámuri due to theft of homes and threatened homes.

Generally, the Tarahumara have lack of health services and their poor diet diseases overwhelm them. Generally, the Tarahumara are married very young; before age 16., Marriage is monogamous, although there are frequent cases of polygamy. The handfasting is customary for one year, during which the girl goes to live with young. In many communities the Tarahumara adopted Western dress. However, it still retains the traditional dress, blouses or shirts of bright colors, prints, sometimes flowery, are used by men and women. The Tarahumara have a democratic spirit, and have a tribal government It consists of a governor or "Siríame" who is the leader of the group; more, sort of civil judge; and several policemen who are the messengers, those who enforce the provisions of the governor. The Rarámuri religion is a mélange of indigenous customs/elements and Roman Catholicism, Music and dance are highly integrated into Tarahumara social life. Tarahumaras play violins which are masterfully carved but not varnished. The tunes are known as matachín pieces and are danced by dancers lavishly dressed in colorful attire resembling North African garments and accompanied by rattles.

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