The idea to study the American Indian tribe — Tarahumaras, came to James Copeland in 1984 when he discovered that very little research had been done on their language.
The Rarámuri or Tarahumara are a Native American people of northwestern Mexico who are renowned for their long-distance running ability. In their language, the term rarámuri refers specifically to the men, women are referred to as mukí (individually) and as omugí or igómale (collectively).