Easter is a very special time for the traditional Tarahumara of the Copper Canyon, Mexico. The week of Semana Santa, beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with the killing of Judas on the morning of the following Saturday, is the most important religious celebration of the Tarahumara. Join Santiago in a remote Copper Canyon village for an intimate experience of this fascinating festival tradition.

Norogachi is a mestizo farming community located at 6600' along Arroyo Grande near the upper Rio Urique. It is the last great ceremonial center of the Tarahumara and is noted for its adherance to traditions. Hundreds of Tarahumara walk and ride horseback to this remote pueblo to take part in this important religious ceremony.

Participants in procession 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 day, evil rules. In another location the Pascoleros and other "True Believers" make ready to do battle with Judas.

As many as 15 different groups of traditionally dressed and painted dancers or '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 continue through the night, illuminated by bonfires.

Ultimately, good triumphs over evil and the Tarahumara insure the fecundity of their tribe, their lands and their animals in the coming year.