Letter to Supporters
Dear Friends of Norawas de Raramuri,
On Monday, May 14, 2012 the Board of Directors voted to dissolve Norawas de Raramuri. We have done this with a sense of sadness, not only on account of our loss of Micah True, but because many of us have cared so deeply for this cause. Many have given–hearts, minds, time, and treasure–to the the work of Norawas de Raramuri over the past three years. I know I speak for all of us in saying that, to have shared with our neighbors in The Copper Canyon has been an opportunity and experience of a lifetime. All of us will go on to do so in new ways.
The Board has also formed a committee that will oversee the distribution of all remaining funds. They will be used primarily to care for children of the communities we have been supporting, especially for their nutrition. This is especially effective because many of these children come from areas that have proved unreachable by aid organizations, but we can reach their schools. We will work with leaders of local non-profits to ensure that the funds are used properly.
The new Caballo Blanco Foundation was formed independent of Norawas de Raramuri and members of that organization will, as we’ve been told, be working on the continuation of Micah’s legacy, especially to ensure that the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon continues. As yet, it is not a tax-exempt organization, but the foundation (in formation) is accepting contributions.
For tax-deductible gifts to immediately and exclusively benefit Raramuri people, we recommend the following organizations:
The Sierra Tarahumara EducationProject, also known as Rota-Scholars.
One Heart Worldwide, its Mexico Program.
http://www.oneheartworld-wide.org/index.php/programs/mexico
Thank you so much for your support of Raramuri athletes and their communities.
As Micah would say, “Run Free.”
Sincerely,
Deborah K. Hirsch
Treasurer
Text of letter posted in early April:
Following the sudden loss of our ex officio board member, Micah True, people close to him have created a new foundation in his name. The Caballo Blanco Foundation has chartered itself to preserve the Caballo Blanco legacy and continue Micah’s work by ensuring the continuation of the Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon (CCUM) and other races in his memory. The detailed scope of The Foundation’s work is yet to be determined.
Norawas de Raramuri was formed so that people like you could make contributions for the purchase of corn and cash awards for Tarahumara runners, in keeping with their customs. With these awards, we also aimed to encourage the continuation of their running traditions.
In the first two months of 2012, we distributed nearly $40,000 in vouchers to Tarahumara people. These vouchers function as cash in the government-sponsored co-operative food markets throughout the Copper Canyon. As in years past, much of this distribution took place as a result of the CCUM, though Micah and others distributed some of them well in advance of the race this year, in response to the severe drought that threatened people in the region.
Also as in years past, Norawas de Raramuri will continue to support an exclusively Tarahumara event in the town of Cuiteco, Mexico, to take place this May. On this website you will see several pages devoted to that event and notice that the centerpiece of the extended weekend fiesta was a series of indigenous footraces of the sort run by Tarahumara for centuries. Norawas contributed funds for transportation, food, and awards for the Cuiteco event in 2010 and 2011, and now will do so in 2012. Medical care is provided by the Mexican government during this event, reaching people who have little access to health professionals. Also, community leaders from Tarahumara villages and the countryside meet to discuss common concerns.
Among our board and our community of friends, there is much interest in implementing projects under Tarahumara guidance, in keeping with the indigenous-centered Cuiteco event, such as seed farms and children’s programs. The needs are great. Mexico has become increasingly aware of and responsive to the pressure under which people in the Copper Canyon are living and it is hoped that this also signals an increase of inter-ethnic respect and community. Mexico-based non-profit organizations are stepping forward and working with those from the U.S.A. Norawas has enjoyed new partnerships in Mexico and new friendships among Mexican people from all walks of life.
Today we are at a crossroads. Micah True was our primary fund raiser. He traveled the globe speaking with people like you, who responded generously. Moving forward, The Caballo Blanco Foundation will raise funds on behalf of his legacy. Norawas de Raramuri will therefore offer support to The Foundation in areas defined by our mission. Board members may participate in The Foundation as members of a special committee on Tarahumara projects. This will unify efforts for the best possible results.
Several of us are also exploring ways in which we can focus specifically on Tarahumara needs, in ways that are distinct from the Micah’s direct legacy–The Copper Canyon Ultra Marathon–but which reflect the values of respect and generosity that he held so dear. The Cuiteco event is one of those. Other efforts that deserve our support, initiated by people who live and work in Mexico, are worthy, to say the least, and in urgent need of support. They are operating on a shoestring to feed, clothe, educate, and provide medical care to those in most dire need.
As a founding member of Norawas de Raramuri, I (and others on the board) will be seeking ways to partner with such organizations and will keep you informed about transitions taking place within Norawas. Meantime, the gifts you have already given, or will give, will be applied for exactly the same purposes, for the same people as ever, and remain tax-exempt. Future support of the CCUM, however, should be directed to The Foundation [www.caballoblanco.org].
Thank you so much for your support, and please write to us with your thoughts. We would like to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Deborah K. Hirsch, Treasurer
Scenes from the Copper Canyon
Traditional Tarahumra Racing
Fiesta Tradicional de la Baja Tarahumara en Cuiteco: Part 2
Friday, June 4 8:15 pm
The El Chepe Clase Economico train arrives at the Cuiteco station on time. Diego Rhodes is already involved in last-minute preparations for the fiesta, but hears the train pull in and drives to the station to pick me up and take back into town, which is a mile away.
Diego Rhodes advising a driver where to unload passengers
Tarahumara disembarking from a flatbed trailer
Click here for additional photos of the transportation sponsored by Norawas de Rarámuri.
Fiesta Tradicional de la Baja Tarahumara en Cuiteco: Part 1
Alignment of palos before the start of the palillo
Friday June 4, 2:30 pm
I am in Cuiteco (near Bahuichivo) for a weekend gathering of what is expected to be a turnout of 2,000 Baja Tarahumara. Activities will include traditional Rarámuri races – the Carrera de Bola (rarajípari), the ariweta or rowera, and the palillo, along with traditional dancing (matachines and pascol), and of course some “sampling” of tesguino. Norawas de Rarámuri was asked by the Baja Tarahumara gobernadores to help support the gathering by funding the transportation of Rarámuri from remote pueblos, including Guadalupe Coronado and Guapalayna that runners pass through in CCUM. Invitation to the Fiesta by the Gobernadores
The early Jesuit missionaries classified the Sierra Tarhumara into two areas, the Alta and Baja Tarahumara. The latter covers the region roughly from the Sinaloa border to Creel, and beyond Urique to the south. The Rarámuri today have a multi-layered socio-political structure. The gobernadores represent the socio-political leadership structure, originally established by the Jesuits to help organize the region into pueblos or socio-geographical entities. Today Los Gobernadores are selected by their respective communities, have the authority over social and cultural affairs, and represent communities at larger councils of Tarahumara and with the Coordinación Estatal de la Tarahumara, the Chihuahua State agency charged with matters related to indigenous affiars in the State of Chihuahua.
In the 1930s, the Mexican government organized political-economic cooperatives known as ejidos, which have their own political and economic structure. In some parts of the Sierra Tarahumara, ejidos are controlled by Tarahumara and have greater authority over Tarahumara affairs. In other areas of the Sierra Tarahumara, neither the gobernadores nor the ejidos seem to have much influence over daily life of the Tarahumara. Organization there is much more fluid, and based on alliances and groupings of families and neighbors, based on a number of factors, with much of it stemming from the organization of races themselves.
Betting Before the Ariweta
By-and-large, the Tarahumara in the Baja Tarahumara live in mixed Tarahumara-Mestizo communities. They are far from assimilated, but do participate in the Mexican socio-political-economic order. The purpose of the gathering of so many communities is simply to celebrate and reinforce traditional Rarámuri traditions and customs, central to which is running traditional races. To get a better understanding of these races, please read the accompanying post, which includes links to other info available on the internet.
Awaiting the start of the Carrera de Bola (rarajípari)
The one thing I have learned from my involvement in Norawas de Rarámuri and reading ethographic studies of the Rarámuri is that Rarámuri are not a monolithic society nor a homogeneous culture. Like every indigenous group, they have changed to varying degrees due to the struggles and contact with host culture. Amidst all this, racing is still a cohesive part of the culture and perhaps the glue (or eje/axle in Tarahumara nomenclature) that keeps the Tarahumara being Rarámuri. Today this takes on many forms. There are Rarámuri living largely untouched by the Mexican culture participating in Western-style Ultra marathons, while there other Rarámuri living among Meztizos who call themselves “Tarahumara” but only run in traditional Rarámuri races. And, there is a relatively recent phenomena of Rarámuri living in city of Chihuahua organizing ad-hoc traditional races along dry riverbeds, as an affirmation of their identity.
The Rarámuri will figure out the destiny of their running culture on their own. I wouldn’t go as far as saying they don’t need our help in this. They certainly do, but probably more in the sense of filling gaps of support and helping organize events such as this. Without volunteers like Hermana Paty heavily involved, it is difficult to impossible to pull off large gatherings such as Cuiteco. However, the Gobernadores were the decision makers for the Fiesta, and in terms of our interest in the event, determined the the amount and styles of racing. The races are a vital part of the Fiesta, but indeed just a part. There will be matachines and pascol dancing, a mass celebrated by the Bishop of Chihuahua, plenty of betting, tesguino, and who knows what else going on. But, aside from local pick-up games, you can’t separate Rarámuri running from its overall cultural context.
So, I am happy for Norawas de Rarámuri to be able to play a small part in support of the Fiesta, being a witness to it, and looking forward to having a good time.
Please Donate to Norawas de Rarámuri to help keep these things happening
