Meeting the Tarahumara of Northwestern Mexico

A woman in a traditional flowery skirt and a colorful scarf is sewing clothes. Skirts are very appreciated among the women and are often worn several at a time. Apart from creating a fluffy look, they keep the women warm during the region's cold winters.

Women play an important role in starting a relationship since they’re usually the ones who take the initiative to dance and sing for potential partners at social reunions.

Many Tarahumara still prefer to live in caves, which are equipped with only the essential things like a bed, a table, chairs and a closet.

Copper Canyon is a group of canyons consisting of six distinct canyons in the Sierra Madre Occidental in the state of Chihuahua. The canyons were formed by six rivers that drain the western side of the Sierra Tarahumara (a part of the Sierra Madre Occidental).

A man is carving wood in order to make batea, an oval recipient for rinsing grains. Most of the utensils are handmade from wood, clay and stone.

Children are never scolded by their parents and are left with responsibilities like taking care of animals and land at an early age. But most of all, Tarahumara children are given the freedom to make their own decisions.

Some children play in the church backyard. Although Tarahumara people do acknowledge the existence of Catholic figures such as Jesus and Mary, they still practice ancient religious ceremonies in which dancing, offerings, the use of smoke and hallucinogenic plants maintain a primary role.

This woman is selling her handicrafts. The crafts are all made from natural materials, like palm leaves and clay.

These two boys are running toward the train with bags of freshly harvested peaches to sell to tourists. When they reach 14 years, Tarahumara are considered adults, ready to get married and form a family.

While mountainous regions get covered by snow in winters, the bottom of the canyons are humid and hot throughout the year.

A train conductor gets ready to help the passengers aboard the train. There’s only one train that leaves the city of Chihuahua daily and another one that leaves Los Mochis, making only 6 stops on the way. The whole journey takes 15 hours.

Due to limited alternatives to invigorate their economy, selling fruits and handicrafts represents one of the most important sources of income to the majority of Tarahumara.

A look from the train.