The Tarahumara of Mexico

With the arrival of the Spanish, Mexico's indigenous Tarahumara (Ramámuri) people retreated deep into the rugged regions of the Copper Canyon area rather than be enslaved and assimilated.

Today, the 50,000 to 60,000 Tarahumara retain many of their traditional ways. The women dress in a colorful mixture of long, patterned skirts, ruffled blouses and head scarves. The men, who have traditionally worn white cotton breechcloths and blousey shirts, have mostly opted for more modern Western-style clothing.

The Tarahumara are known for their ability to run vast distances carrying heavy loads through mountainous terrain. Team races organized as social events can last for days.

We met the Tarahumara during out trip through the Copper Canyon during a stopover in Creel and Batopilas.