Ivan Ratkaj

When he graduated, his superiors wanted him to teach, but they eventually granted his wish and sent him to be a missionary in Mexico in 1680.

[2] In his reports, written in the form of a diary, he described his sea voyage to Mexico, the land route to the native province of Tarahumara in the north of Mexico (modern-day Mexican state of Chihuahua) and the customs and life of the Tarahumara people.

He learned the native language in a month and moved to Tutuaca, a mission in a poor mountainous area.

His reports betray an open curiosity: he noted all kinds of details, not only of nature, but also of the natives and their life.

He presents the Tarahumara as a "mild and civilized" people as opposed to some neighboring tribes.