Tarahumara Adventure Camp 2024
Rarajipari (carrera de bola) en Urique December 2024
In December a beautiful group of humans came to the canyon of Urique to learn some photography, hike and explore the area and more importantly to learn about the Raramuri culture. The adventure headquarters was Entre Amigos where there are hostels, rooms and camping just a quarter mile or so outside of the pueblo. The highlight of the adventure was the rarajipari (correra de bola) toward the end of the week although there was adventure every day.
The day after the group arrived they hiked up to Guadalupe Coronado school where headmaster Filipe and 90 Raramuri school children were awaiting our arrival. The group was very quick to become “Messengers” as they brought with them pencils, crayons and notebooks (much needed supplies that are hard to obtain in these remote areas) to all 90 children! We also brought up a pinata packed full of candy. It was a highlight of our arrival for the kids as they took turns swinging at the pinata until it finally burst open tossing candy everywhere. We also had extra candy to toss just to make sure all the kiddos got some! It was here that the group had their first taste of “Korima” which in the Raramuri language roughly translates to giving without expectation.
As the week continued professional photographer and group leader Luis Escobar taught photography skills and followed though with some activities to practice the skills, the group also hiked, made guacamole, salsa, tortillas plus had plenty of time to hang out around the fire at night or catch a beer or two at Mama Tita’s on a warm afternoon.
On Wednesday two teams of Raramuri rarajipari players arrived in Urique. They prepared for the tomorrow’s competition by making their own bolas for the race by hand using basic tools and using limbs of the wasima tree. Each team would make two bolas as they are allowed a spare in case one breaks. The group also would watch sandal or huarache making as the teams prepared them. Earth Runners donated some special Raramuri inspired laces that were well liked by all.
Thursday afternoon the teams gathered just prior to the competition to agree on some basic rules and do some traditional betting on the game. The rarajipari is a game played by the men but many of the woman and families came to support the two teams. Team Urique was led by Arnulfo Kimare and consisted of 12 runners. The Porochi team was led by the father in law of Miguel Lara and also had a team of 12. Because of events like the Tarahumara Adventure Camp, True Messages is able to support cultural events like this rarajipari game. Each runner was given a cash prize for their participation from True Messages. This is important as it participation often means travel and loss of a work day or two. This was another form of Korima the group was able to offer the community. Their visit provided the opportunity to have this event and gave them the opportunity to learn and experience some Raramuri culture.
The game rules were set and although typically a number of laps are agreed on, this time the captains agreed on a 7 PM ending as one team did not have the torches required to play into the night. The balls were tossed and the game started around 1 PM. The winner at the end of the day? It felt like a win for all! Those who participated as well as those who spectated had a great time.
The end of the week came way too early. Each one of the new Messengers brought so much to the event and we look forward to having them back one day soon