[Translator's preface by Adam Sachs]

Abstract

This project is a translation into English of selections from Ralámuli Nu'tugala Go'ame (Comida de los Tarahumaras), titled Foodways of the Rarámuri People, by Albino Mares Trías.

The book was written by Albino Mares Trías, a member of the Rarámuri indigenous group of Guazapares, Chihuahua, Mexico, in his native Rarámuri language with an accompanying parallel text in Spanish. It was first published privately by Don Burgess McGuire—who wrote the book's prologue—in 1982, and the second edition was published as the seventh volume of the Cocina indígena y popular series by Mexico's Consejo Nacional para la Cultura y las Artes (Conaculta) in 2000. As Mares Trías' voice is the one telling of his people's foodways, I refer to them and their language as they would, with the term "Rarámuri," rather than the western "Tarahumara."

The translator's preface begins with a brief overview of the culture and history of the Rarámuri, including certain misperceptions about them as well as why their way of life is significant. It then delves into the concept of a "foodways narrative," the category assigned to this text to best define the approach and perspective by which it should be read and translated. The next section deals with which parts of the book were translated and why those parts were chosen. There is then an explanation of the translation methodology and glossary, which was intended to be highly comprehensive and serve as a tool for future reference and research by including as many English, Rarámuri, Spanish, and scientific terms, as well as corresponding definitions. Before the glossary, there are conclusions about future implications for the Rarámuri, who, despite surviving and preserving their homeland and lifestyle for more than 2,000 years, are increasingly under threat due to a number of factors. This translation into English should better document their identity and story for a larger audience, with the hope of laying the groundwork for further study and additional translation of the entirety of this book and other books by this author.