Quick Overview

In Tarahumara religion, offerings must be made as the soul ascends a series of heavens. The soul is reincarnated after each death, and after three lives becomes a moth on Earth which represents the final existence of the soul. When the moth dies, the soul dies completely.

However, this end is not regarded as negative or a punishment, but merely as a continuation of the order of life.

The Devil's world is not necessarily evil, but is tainted through its ties with the 'Chabochi', or non-Raramuri. The Devil is said to sometimes collaborate with God to arrange fitting punishments, and can be appeased through sacrifices and offerings. In some cases, the Devil can even be persuaded to act as a benevolent entity.

The Devil and God are brothers (the Devil is the elder) who jointly created the human race. God, using pure clay, created the Raramuri, whereas the Devil, mixing white ash with his clay, created the Chabochi. Thus, the Devil is as much protector and life-giver to the Chabochis as God is to the Raramuri.