MEXICO CITY.- Almost 50 recordings of indigenous traditional music interpreted by Huichol and Tarahumara people between 1890 and 1898 were donated by the Government of Norway to the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH).

The centennial recordings gathered in 3 compact discs, documented by anthropologist Carl Lumholtz were handled in by the premier of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg to the general director of INAH, Alfonso de Maria y Campos.

During the official act conducted in April 9th 2010 at the National Museum of Anthropology, with the presence of representatives of both indigenous groups, the Norway officer mentioned that “it is a great honor to handle this unique material that is indeed a Mexican treasure”.

Norwegian anthropologist Carl Lumholtz registered in 41 documents the music that Wixarika and Raramuri peoples used a century ago during their rituals, in Nayarit, Jalisco and Chihuahua.

“More than a hundred years ago, the anthropologist recorded languages and manifestations of several indigenous peoples, specially Tarahumara and Huichol groups; these audio tapes remained outside Mexico until now, that I handle them for you to look after”, expressed the premier.

“With the delivery of this audio archives we pretend to pay homage to Huichol and Tarahumara, as well as to all indigenous groups of this country that is celebrating 200 years of independence”, remarked Jens Stoltenberg.

Felipe Serio, representative of Wixarika Union of Ceremonial Center in Jalisco, Nayarit and Durango, and Erasmo Palma, Raramuri musician and composer, manifested their approval for the delivery of the audio heap, a testimony of Tarahumara and Huichol cultural heritage.

The INAH officer, Alfonso de Maria, mentioned that work conducted by the Norwegian anthropologist “is a starting point in the field of ethnological research”.

During his stay in Mexico, between 1890 and 1898, Carl Lumholtz collected extensive ethnographic material of different indigenous groups: Tarahumara, Tepehuan, Cora, Huichol, Yaqui, Seri, Nahua and Purepecha.

The Norwegian prime minister was accompanied by his wife, Ingrid Schulerud; the Ambassador of Norway in Mexico, Arne Aesheim; the Mexican Ambassador in Norway, Martha Barcena, and Jose Ignacio Madrazo, Foreign Affairs Minister (SRE) director for Europe.