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The Copper Canyon is a vast and rugged region located in the SW
corner of Chihuahua, Mexico, 350 miles from El Paso, Texas and is the
traditional homeland of the Tarahumara Indians who call themselves Raramuri--the
foot runners. Cutting deep into volcanic rhyolites and andesites are 4 great
barrancas more than a mile deep which represent North America's largest canyon
system. Within this environment live 60,000 Tarahumara who are the second
largest tribe in North America and the most traditional . The majority live on
isolated ranchos in extended family groups, subsisting on corn, beans and squash
and raising goats. Easter is a very special time for the Tarahumara of the
Copper Canyon. The week of Semana Santa, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending
with the killing of Judas at dawn the following Saturday, is their most
important religeous celebration. This ritual marks the beginning of the
agricultural season. |
 Norogachi is a mestizo
farming community located in the Alta Sierra Tarahumara at 6600' along Arroyo
Grande one mile from the Rio Urique and very close to the Continental Divide. It
is the last great ceremonial center of the Tarahumara and is noted for its
adherance to traditions. Coming from distant ranchos in the surrounding forests,
canyons and mesas are hundreds of Tarahumara who walk and ride horseback to this
remote pueblo to take part in this powerful "ritual of renewal".
As many
as 15 different groups of traditionally dressed and painted dancers called
pintos will gather in the plaza of the 315 year old church to drum and
dance. When the ritual begins in earnest on Thursday, they will dance by
day and will continue throughout the night illuminated by large bonfires.
Everybody joins in the processions which, daily, carry the effigies of Jesus and
Mary from the church through the 12 stations of the cross.
On Friday evening Judas arrives in the plaza in the form
of a straw effigy and from then until his ritual slaying the following morning,
evil rules. In another location the two Pascoleros and other "True Believers"
make ready to do battle with Judas. Ultimately good triumphs over evil and the
Tarahumara insure the fecundity of their tribe, their lands and their animals in
the coming year. The ritual of renewal is complete.
 Your cultural journey
begins when you fly into Los Mochis and travel to the old colonial city of El
Fuerte where we will stay for 2 nights in the beautifully refurbished old
hacienda which is now the Hotel El Fuerte. On Saturday we board the famous
Copper Canyon train "Chepe" and rise 7200' into the rugged Sierra Madre
Occidental. From Creel we travel by van to the small farming community of
Norogachi. In addition to the Semana Santa festival, you'll participate in other
activities such as mule and horseback rides to archeological sites with a local
guide, a visit to a pottery village, breadbaking and music, and visits with
traditional Tarahumara crafts workers.This adventure is unique in that we will
be witnessing the entire Semana Santa ceremony from start to finish. Norogachi
has never known hotels or restaurants and we are very priviledged to have a
homestay in the clean and comfortable guesthouse of Martha Garcia Espino,
located a short distance from the church and plaza. We'll be served three meals
of delicious local cuisine each day as we experience village life and receive a
true, insider's view of this fascinating Tarahumara
festival.
 Our guide, Santiago
James Barnaby, is an American from Bozeman, Montana who for 28 years has been
exploring and living seasonally for 6 months a year in the Copper Canyon. Since
1983 he has made Norogachi his winter home. The local guides, the Tarahumara's
and other people we will be meeting are his long-time friends.
Price: $2,490
Dates: April 6- 16, 2006
Please click here for the detailed
itinerary
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