We also began to learn some of the history of the Tarahumari Indians. They were originally called the Raramuri but due to pronunciation issues, the name evolved to Tarahumari. (Raramuri means "Running Feet")
The Tarahumari live in obscurity deep in the Sierra Madre mountains of northwest Mexico.
The Mission of San Francisco Javier of Cerocahui. Constructed of simple adobe in 1680.
The Tarahumara Indians live in caves, under cliffs and in wood and stone cabins in remote areas of the Sierra Madre's. They live a simple life undisturbed by modern technologies.
In an attempt to educate the Tarahumara children, the government has established boarding schools (pictured right) in Cerocahui and surrounding areas for the children of the local Tarahumara families.
Many Tarahumara families live several hours by foot from the government schools.
The female children ages grade one to grade six live and sleep in the boarding school through out the entire school year. (note all the pink bed spreads)
The male children of those same grade levels only live at the boarding school Monday through Friday and go home on the weekends. It is thought the boy children can endure the several hour walk every week to and from school.
When the children are sent home to their families either on the weekend or at the end of the school year, the government sends a monetary stipend as an incentive for the families to return their children to school the following week or the following year.
Children launder their own clothing in the sinks below, shower, help prepare their food and maintain the task of their daily living.
I noticed the absence of heating device in any of the rooms.
The elevation here is 5000 feet.
Snow and ice and freezing winds on this January day. These are a hearty breed of people.
Our Guide mentioned that the educational programs developed by the government has helped to stop the inter-family marriages within the Tarahumara tribes.
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