The Ancient Language of Mexico’s Runners

Rarámuri is a major indigenous language spoken by seventy thousand people in Mexico. Despite its obscurity to outsiders, it remains the second most common Uto-Aztecan language after Nahuatl.

This language is native to the rugged canyons of Chihuahua, home to a culture world-famous for their incredible long-distance running abilities. Linguistically, it is a key relative of the language spoken by the ancient Aztecs. It serves as a vital bridge to understanding the historical migration of peoples across North America. Today, it remains a living, breathing part of daily life for the Rarámuri people in their mountain homeland.