Synopses & Reviews
Inhabiting the Sierra Madre Occidental of southwestern Chihuahua in Mexico, the Tarahumara (or Rarámuri) are known in their language as the "foot runners" due to the way in which they must navigate their rugged terrain. This book offers an accessible ethnography of their history, customs, and current life, accompanied by photographs that offer striking images of these gentle people. The subtitle of the book derives from the Tarahumar's belief that the soul works at night while the body sleeps and that during this "day of the moon" both the spirits of the dead and the souls of the living move about in their mysterious ways. As the authors observe, the fact that "so many men, women, and children persist in distinctive, centuries-old cultural traditions in spite of their nearness to all the complexities and attractions of modern industrial society is an importatn part of the story." Their book tells that story and brings readers closer to understanding the Tarahumara world and way of life.
Review
"A beautifully illustrated and felicitously written account of present-day Indian life and landscape." Hispanic American Historical Review
Description
Includes bibliographical references (p. 135-138) and index.
About the Author
Bernard L. Fontana is the author of many articles and books, including Entrada: The Legacy of Spain and Mexico in the United States. He is also the author of Biography of a Desert Church: The Story of Mission San Xavier del Bac, which remains the standard source on the missions history. John P. Schaefer, a former president of the University of Arizona, now heads the Research Corporation in Tucson.