The Tarahumaras are an ethnic group of great relevance, that is why we have made this interesting but brief article on the Food of the Tarahumaras, how was the gastronomy, its typical food, traditions and religion. Do not miss it!
Food of the Tarahumaras A diverse and natural livelihood
Establishing a deep connection with nature and its beliefs, in the Tarahumara diet, corn is not only the most important food, but also the soul of the body. In this way, the inherited agricultural knowledge allowed them to adapt their cultures, both to the seasons of the year, and to the different climates of the northern mountains.
Corn in the diet of the Tarahumara
In the Tarahumara diet, corn is synonymous with a good and varied diet, in this sense, with the roasted grain, ground in a metate and mixed with water, we make pinole, a very refreshing atole. Instead, by grinding the tender corn and with little water, a dough is made to make the tortillas or deméke.
Likewise, the fermented tesgüino drink is made from corn, which the Rrámuri collectively drink, thanking their creator gods, during bullfights, ceremonies, and festivals.
What are the other nutrients in the food of the Tarahumara
In order of importance, in the Tarahumara diet, after corn, come beans, which are prepared in different ways or served as an accompaniment to other dishes, as well as pumpkin, which can be eaten boiled. In addition, other nutrients from the Tarahumara culture are chili peppers, potatoes and some species of rodents, birds, snakes, fish, deer or certain types of larvae.
When it comes to mushrooms, the Rarámuri prefer those that grow on dry pine trees, called heujcoguí guhéquigui, to being steamed or cooked in butter. In addition, there are other orange mushrooms that are eaten young, and the repoma mushroom, which grows in white soil.
Herbs or quelitas, such as chinaca, mustard, coyote, oregano, purslane and grass, are a source of fiber, vitamins and minerals for the Tarahumara. In turn, they have fruits such as chalate, apple, quince, papaya, orange, mango, guava, peach, tuna and some pods called guamúchil.
When performing their ceremonies, they offer food to their main gods, the rabbit, squirrels, goats, chickens, cows or fish, they are used in gratitude or in request of favor.
Importantly, much of the Tarahumara diet has defined the current Mexican diet over the years, allowing nutrients to develop from nature itself.
traditions and religion
They are organized around the singers (maynates) and rezadores, elders who officiate and lead the ceremonies to the rhythm of their rattles that they make with bules and their guttural songs where they tell and describe the life of the mountain animals such as wolves, coyotes , mules and vultures.
Much of the current Rarámuri traditions is an appropriation of what was learned from the Jesuit missionaries during the nearly 150 years they lived together during colonial times. Luis G. Verplancken.
Its diversity in mystical-religious celebrations consist of dances, tesgüinados and offerings, in which the traditional corn drink called tesgüino is never lacking.
For them, dance is a prayer; with the dance they ask for forgiveness, they wish for rain, they give their thanks for it and for the harvest; While they dance, they help "Repá betéame" (The one who lives upstairs), so that he cannot be defeated by "Reré betéame" (The one who lives downstairs).
It can be said that the Tarahumara have preserved their ancestral culture with surprising tenacity. For several centuries, they have used the same designs, the same symbols in their artistic works, on their belts, their ceramics and their blankets.
They continue to leave food for their dead for the Journey of No Return and "help" them ascend to heaven by celebrating three or four parties, depending on whether the deceased is male or female. Although in many cases the sense of ritual has disappeared, it has shown great vitality to survive.
Its tendencies have been kept alive and dormant and have even influenced some of its rituals in the Catholic Church. The existence of the terrace for ritual ceremonies, the smoke that is the incense of the Tarahumara, the dew of the four cardinal points and the incomprehensible songs are religiously practiced, but the Tarahumara cannot give us a mythological explanation.
The shaman (sukurúame) uses hidden customs to do evil. and the owiruame is the good healer, in ancient times he was transported from one place to another in the form of a bird, when he arrived at his destination he recovered his body, sometimes he traveled with his family.
The shaman is the preserver of the social customs of a people. His duties as a specialist in rituals and therapies require him to be a defender of the traditional order. His task is to create a balance between the body and the cosmos.
Some shamans use peyote (hikuli) to heal. This hallucinogenic plant is only used to a limited extent and only shamans know how much to use and how to collect and store it. It is used as an ointment on the skin to treat rheumatism, snake bites and other diseases.
In some locations only the Jiculi are used to heal, in others the Bakanoa are sacred plants whose territoriality is assured. and those of one place dare not mention the plant of another place.
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