Tarahumara: Where Night Is the Day of the Moon

Rating:
Summary: Hauntingly beautiful
Review: In the northwestern portion of Mexico, in the mountains known as the Sierra Madre Occidental live the legendary Tarahumara. This is an indigeneous group who have been one of the most successful to resist the onslought of western civilization, beginning with the Spaniards conquest and continuing to this day. Seeing the pictures in this book is like taking a step back in time; they are a culture spared the shadow of time. The Tarahumara are known for maintaining their customs and traditions in spite of of an ever encroaching civilization and tourist trade. The Tarahumara are phenomenal runners who traverse , climb and descend the mountains that reach 9,000 ft. beginning as children and contuinuing into old age. Known for their long distance running they are incredible endurance machines that come from a genetic pool that used to carry letters 600 miles! A contemporary good runner can run forty miles with a steady pace over six to eight hours. This book is a fabulous tribute to the majesty of a proud people, complete with over forty color plates and nearly as many powerful black and white photographs. The book is not only a picture book but has a marvelous text that explains and details how this group has endured the harsh natural conditions as well as the invasion of "outsiders" who tried to indoctrinate them with religion and cultural mores. The simplicity of their home construction in the ranchos and the traditions that continue are an anthropoligsts dream. Some of the cultural traditions are fascinating and a wonderful testament to mankind. This is a good book to read prior to a visit to Mexico and journey along the Copper Canyon. The book aIso includes a bibliography and a glossary for further clarification and further knowledge. I would recommend finding the hard cover edition that is out of print if possible because the photographs are amazing and timeless reflections of a distant and persistant people. The color and black and whote plates are as magnificent aas the people they depict. The oversized edition is a cultural treasure. Regardless of the edition I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the people known as the Tarahumara who believe that a mans soul dreams and is manifested and works in mysterious ways at night while his body sleeps.

Rating:
Summary: Hauntingly beautiful
Review: In the northwestern portion of Mexico, in the mountains known as the Sierra Madre Occidental live the legendary Tarahumara. This is an indigeneous group who have been one of the most successful to resist the onslought of western civilization, beginning with the Spaniards conquest and continuing to this day. Seeing the pictures in this book is like taking a step back in time; they are a culture spared the shadow of time. The Tarahumara are known for maintaining their customs and traditions in spite of of an ever encroaching civilization and tourist trade. The Tarahumara are phenomenal runners who traverse , climb and descend the mountains that reach 9,000 ft. beginning as children and contuinuing into old age. Known for their long distance running they are incredible endurance machines that come from a genetic pool that used to carry letters 600 miles! A contemporary good runner can run forty miles with a steady pace over six to eight hours. This book is a fabulous tribute to the majesty of a proud people, complete with over forty color plates and nearly as many powerful black and white photographs. The book is not only a picture book but has a marvelous text that explains and details how this group has endured the harsh natural conditions as well as the invasion of "outsiders" who tried to indoctrinate them with religion and cultural mores. The simplicity of their home construction in the ranchos and the traditions that continue are an anthropoligsts dream. Some of the cultural traditions are fascinating and a wonderful testament to mankind. This is a good book to read prior to a visit to Mexico and journey along the Copper Canyon. The book aIso includes a bibliography and a glossary for further clarification and further knowledge. I would recommend finding the hard cover edition that is out of print if possible because the photographs are amazing and timeless reflections of a distant and persistant people. The color and black and whote plates are as magnificent aas the people they depict. The oversized edition is a cultural treasure. Regardless of the edition I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the people known as the Tarahumara who believe that a mans soul dreams and is manifested and works in mysterious ways at night while his body sleeps.

Rating:
Summary: Beautiful photos of a unique, endangered people
Review: Written with respect for the dignity and unique culture of the Tarahumara Indians, an indigenous people that live in the Sierra Madre Occidentals (Copper Canyon region). Lots of photographs (both black and white, and color). Although a paperback, it's quite large (pages are about 9"x11"). A "must-have" if you are going to visit, or have visited, Copper Canyon, Mexico.