The Tarahumara Indians of the Copper Canyon region of Southwestern Chihuahua State are famous as endurance runners, competing with each other in a traditional marathon race where they kick a wooden ball, about the size of a baseball, ahead of themselves and cover distances of over 20 miles typically in a race. They are the largest and most primitive tribe in North America, clinging to their language and culture and remaining apart from the “chabochis” - the Mexicans - whom they view with suspicion and scorn. They are currently suffering severe hardships as their arable land is being taken away from them by “narcos”, who use the fields where they traditionally grow their corn and beans to plant marijuana and opium poppies. As a result, many of them are now refugees - living in the streets of cities and towns in Chihuahua state, such as Juarez, Chihuahua City, and Ojinaga. We buy their crafts from them and try to sell them to recoup the money. They make, generally speaking, some very primitive items, shall we say.

Most Tarahumara bateas that you can buy are a type of elongated bowl. It is the type that is used with a hand grinding stone, or metate as these are known, when grinding corn. The corn, once it is ground, is pushed off of the end of the metate into the batea. This was carved by hand using only a hatchet and a knife.

I bought it from the artist himself, who had set up a little area in the shade of the Presidencia in Ojinaga, Chihuahua, where he was selling a variety of wares from his village, which is located in the so-called "Copper Canyon" region of southwestern Chihuahua state.

I also have a lot of old, used bateas, which are very valuable. If you are interested in real artifacts like these, please write to me and inquire.

Tarahumara Indians

From Fausto's Art Gallery in Ojinaga, Chihuahua.
(Shipped from Presidio, Texas)

only $20.00

shipping and handling $8.00 includes delivery confirmation.