MEXICANMEXICAN FOLKFOLK MEDICINEMEDICINE ANDAND FOLKFOLK BELIEFSBELIEFS CuranderismoCuranderismo yy yerbasyerbas MedicinalesMedicinales EliseoEliseo ““CheoCheo”” Torres,Torres, UniversityUniversity Administrator,Administrator, Professor,Professor, AuthorAuthor www.unm.edu/~cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm TraditionalTraditional MexicanMexican HealingHealing CertificateCertificate ProgramProgram OfferedOffered throughthrough thethe CenterCenter forfor ContinuingContinuing Education,Education, UniversityUniversity ofof NewNew MexicoMexico „ First certificate program of its kind in the U.S. „ 9-10 modules totaling 400 hours „ Instructors are healers and faculty from Mexico City area and Cuernavaca, Mexico „ Hands-on curriculum will provide participants with knowledge and skills used by traditional folk healers, including diagnosing illness, preparing natural medicines, identifying and using medicinal plants, massage therapy, iridology, etc. „ Certificate continues to be offered through University of New Mexico’s Continuing Education program „ For further information, please visit: www.unm.edu/~cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm Book:Book: Curandero:Curandero: AA LifeLife inin MexicanMexican FolkFolk HealingHealing This book about my life and research in curanderismo is now available through the University of New Mexico Press. You can order it through my website, or by going to the UNM press website, or by getting an order form from me after class. My website: www.unm.edu/~cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm UNM Press ordering page: http://www.unmpress.com/Book .php?id=10546036839987 Book:Book: HealingHealing withwith HerbsHerbs andand Rituals:Rituals: AA MexicanMexican TraditionTradition This book about herbs and rituals used in Mexican Folk Healing is now available through the University of New Mexico Press. You can order it through my website, or by going to the UNM press website, or by getting an order form from me after class. My website: www.unm.edu/~cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm UNM Press ordering page: http://www.unmpress.com/Book .php?id=11085670627549 I.I. INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION InfluencesInfluences ofof CuranderismoCuranderismo

1.)1.) JudeoJudeo--ChristianChristian –– giftgift fromfrom GodGod andand beliefbelief inin GodGod 2.)2.) GreekGreek HumoralHumoral –– equilibriumequilibrium ofof hothot andand coldcold 3.)3.) ArabicArabic –– directingdirecting psychicpsychic energyenergy 4.)4.) EuropeanEuropean WitchcraftWitchcraft –– supernaturalsupernatural forcesforces 5.)5.) AfricanAfrican –– SanteriaSanteria blendblend ofof CatholicCatholic saintssaints andand AfricanAfrican orichasorichas InfluencesInfluences ofof CuranderismoCuranderismo (Continued)

6.)6.) SpiritualismSpiritualism andand psychicpsychic –– spiritualspiritual trancestrances andand communicationcommunication withwith spiritsspirits 7.)7.) ScientificScientific –– germgerm theory,theory, psychologypsychology andand biomedicinebiomedicine BlendBlend ofof OldOld andand NewNew WorldsWorlds HISTORYHISTORY

„ 15191519 –– SpaniardsSpaniards arrivedarrived inin MexicoMexico „ 15211521 –– TenochitlanTenochitlan andand 3,0003,000 medicinalmedicinal plantsplants destroyeddestroyed „ 15521552 –– MartinMartin dede lala Cruz,Cruz, AztecAztec IndianIndian doctor,doctor, wrotewrote firstfirst bookbook (listing(listing 251251 herbs)herbs) onon medicinalmedicinal plantsplants atat SchoolSchool ofof SantaSanta CruzCruz dede TlaltelolcoTlaltelolco;; writtenwritten 3131 yearsyears afterafter conquestconquest ofof MexicoMexico „ 15541554 –– CervantesCervantes dede SalazarSalazar describeddescribed MontezumaMontezuma II’sII’s gardens;gardens; physiciansphysicians experimentedexperimented withwith hundredshundreds ofof medicalmedical herbsherbs PagesPages fromfrom CodexCodex BadianoBadiano MoreMore CodexCodex BadianoBadiano pagespages TraditionalTraditional remediesremedies ofof EuropeEurope andand AsiaAsia havehave beenbeen blendedblended withwith thosethose ofof AztecsAztecs andand Mayans.Mayans. EvolutionEvolution ofof MedicinalMedicinal HerbsHerbs

„ AztecAztec pharmacologypharmacology –– 1,2001,200 medicinalmedicinal herbsherbs

„ AztecsAztecs treatedtreated arthritis,arthritis, gastrointestinalgastrointestinal ills,ills, hepatitis,hepatitis, etc.etc. Today,Today, CuranderismoCuranderismo hashas influencedinfluenced thethe revivalrevival ofof Alternative/Complementary/HolisticAlternative/Complementary/Holistic IntegratedIntegrated Medicine,Medicine, including:including:

„ $21 Billion in Consumer Spending „ Andrew Weil’s Common Sense Approach – “Can’t hurt, could help” „ Less fat, animal food, stress „ Eliminate or reduce intake of booze, cigarettes, coffee „ Begin exercise, massage and hypnosis therapy „ Use herbs, olive oil, garlic, ginger, etc. „ Keep lots of fresh flowers AndrewAndrew WeilWeil GuruGuru ofof thethe “integrative”“integrative” medicinemedicine approach,approach, Dr.Dr. WeilWeil preachespreaches thatthat modernmodern medicinemedicine needsneeds toto paypay moremore attentionattention toto thethe wholewhole picturepicture –– mindmind asas wellwell asas body.body. II.II. TheThe Curandero’sCurandero’s ThreeThree LevelsLevels ofof KnowledgeKnowledge

1.)1.) MATERIALMATERIAL –– herbs,herbs, animals,animals, eggs,eggs, water,water, candles,candles, cigars,cigars, etc.etc. 2.)2.) SPIRITUALSPIRITUAL –– CuranderoCurandero asas medium;medium; soulsoul conceptconcept 3.)3.) MENTALMENTAL –– channelschannels mentalmental vibrationsvibrations toto patientpatient 1.)1.) MaterialMaterial LevelLevel

„ CanCan useuse plantsplants –– Simple,Simple, Mixed,Mixed, andand PopularPopular

„ WaterWater

„ AjoAjo MachoMacho (Elephant(Elephant Garlic)Garlic)

„ PiedraPiedra ImanIman (Lodestone)(Lodestone)

„ MagicalMagical PerfumesPerfumes

„ NaturalNatural “Viagra”“Viagra”

„ SnakeSnake MedicineMedicine

„ CandlesCandles

„ TemezcalTemezcal SimpleSimple MedicinalMedicinal PlantsPlants UsedUsed forfor FoodFood andand MedicineMedicine

„ Garlic – with olive oil for burns; clove in ear for earaches; in brandy for asthma; with brown sugar for coughs; with honey for dandruff; reduces cholesterol. „ Onion – treats anemia, bronchial complaints and asthma; cooked in oil prevents scarlet fever and diphtheria; as tea for coughs and sore throats; when hot, applied to boils. SimpleSimple MedicinalMedicinal PlantsPlants ---- Continued

„ Orange – Leaves used as tea for digestion and stronger tea for insomnia; flowers and peel for stress and insomnia; tea from bark of bitter orange to improve appetite. AloeAloe VeraVera –– ZabilaZabila Referred to as Planta Milagrosa, or Miraculous Plant

„ 333 B.C. – used as medicine „ Member Lily family – onion and garlic (not cactus) „ External use – burns, cuts, rashes, acne and wrinkles „ Internal use – arthritis, rheumatism, stomach disorders and constipation „ Folk belief: brings positive vibrations and good luck AloeAloe VeraVera –– PositivePositive VibrationsVibrations andand GoodGood LuckLuck PopularPopular PlantsPlants

„ ChayaChaya –– hashas beenbeen usedused asas dietdiet supplementsupplement byby thethe MayansMayans sincesince beforebefore SpaniardsSpaniards arrivedarrived inin 1519.1519. ChayaChaya outweighsoutweighs bothboth SpinachSpinach andand AlfalfaAlfalfa inin protein,protein, carbohydrates,carbohydrates, calcium,calcium, iron,iron, phosphorus,phosphorus, andand VitaminsVitamins C,C, A,A, BB--11 andand BB--2.2. ScientistsScientists areare studyingstudying itsits antianti--diabeticdiabetic potential.potential.

„ TepezcohuiteTepezcohuite –– thethe MimosaMimosa treetree hashas propertiesproperties thatthat promotepromote healing,healing, esp.esp. forfor burns.burns. ItIt alsoalso promotespromotes healthyhealthy scarscar tissuetissue formationformation inin bodybody cuts,cuts, wounds,wounds, skinskin irritations.irritations. PopularPopular PlantsPlants ---- Continued

„ Cat’sCat’s ClawClaw oror UUññaa dede GatoGato isis anan herbherb fromfrom Peru’sPeru’s rainrain forestforest saidsaid toto bebe anan effectiveeffective multimulti-- purposepurpose medicinalmedicinal plant.plant. Cat’sCat’s ClawClaw containscontains severalseveral OxindoleOxindole AlkaloidsAlkaloids whichwhich stimulatestimulate thethe immunologicimmunologic system.system. ResearchResearch showsshows thatthat Cat’sCat’s ClawClaw hashas antiviral,antiviral, antioxidant,antioxidant, antianti-- inflammatory,inflammatory, andand antianti--tumortumor properties.properties. SpiritualSpiritual WaterWater –– UsedUsed asas SpiritualSpiritual FoodFood ManMan drinkingdrinking SpiritualSpiritual WaterWater toto helphelp inin Curative/HealingCurative/Healing processprocess AjoAjo MachoMacho –– ElephantElephant GarlicGarlic

„ OneOne greatgreat cloveclove (as(as opposedopposed toto TableTable GarlicGarlic –– manymany cloves)cloves)

„ ElephantElephant GarlicGarlic usedused asas powderpowder oror perfumeperfume toto bringbring goodgood vibrationsvibrations andand goodgood luckluck PiedraPiedra ImanIman ((CompuestaCompuesta)) –– LodestoneLodestone signifiessignifies

„ GoldGold –– wealthwealth

„ SilverSilver –– goodgood homehome andand familyfamily

„ CoralCoral (red(red bean)bean) –– getsgets ridrid ofof envyenvy andand allall that’sthat’s badbad

„ WheatWheat –– goodgood husband,husband, wife,wife, marriagemarriage oror relationshiprelationship

„ HorseshoeHorseshoe –– prosperousprosperous jobjob oror businessbusiness PiedraPiedra ImanIman ---- LodestoneLodestone

„ SoapSoap

„ PerfumePerfume

„ PowderPowder

„ AmuletAmulet

„ StoneStone

AllAll bringbring positivepositive vibrationsvibrations MagicalMagical PerfumesPerfumes

•Iman –Luck •Contra Embrujo -- Against a Hex •Yo Puedo Mas Que Tu (“I Can More Than You”) – Power Over Another

•Ven A Mi (“Come to Me”) – Attracts a Lover Packaged Herbal Compounds

•Tlanchalagua –Weight Loss •Sexogil –for Impotence •Te Nervina – for Headaches, Epilepsy, Neuralgia SexogilSexogil –– aa “traditional“traditional Viagra”Viagra” SnakeSnake MedicineMedicine

„ NIHNIH--SponsoredSponsored ResearchResearch –– usingusing venomvenom toto destroydestroy cancercancer andand tumortumor tissuetissue

„ VenomVenom –– containscontains 6060 proteins,proteins, toxins,toxins, andand enzymes;enzymes; destroysdestroys tissuestissues andand affectsaffects nervousnervous systemsystem

„ FolkFolk UsageUsage –– stopsstops gossipgossip SnakeSnake OilOil

1.)1.) AceiteAceite –– forfor Rheumatism,Rheumatism, Arthritis,Arthritis, otherother achesaches andand painspains 2.)2.) ToTo stopstop gossipgossip –– placeplace dropdrop forfor everyevery letterletter ofof gossip’sgossip’s namename onon piecepiece ofof paper,paper, thenthen burnburn paperpaper OtherOther MedicinalMedicinal OilsOils CandleCandle RitualsRituals

„ ColorColor && flicker,flicker, patternpattern ofof meltingmelting waxwax usedused toto diagnosediagnose illnessillness

„ ParaffinParaffin oror animalanimal fatfat usedused forfor differentdifferent conditionsconditions CandleCandle RitualsRituals -- Continued

SignificanceSignificance ofof CandleCandle ColorsColors

„ Blue: serenity

„ Pink: good will

„ White: purity

„ Red: illness/love

„ Green & Black: negative forces TraditionalTraditional TemezcalTemezcal Oaxaca,Oaxaca, MexicoMexico

Courtesy of Laura de Franklin OaxacanOaxacan andand NewNew MexicanMexican HealersHealers LauroLauro && Laura,Laura, duringduring UNM’sUNM’s OccupationalOccupational TherapyTherapy ClassClass onon HealingHealing inin Oaxaca,Oaxaca, MexicoMexico

Courtesy of Laura de Franklin 2.)2.) SpiritualSpiritual andand 3.)3.) MentalMental LevelsLevels

„ EvilEvil EyeEye –– MalMal dede OjoOjo „ MagicalMagical FrightFright –– SustoSusto „ OtherOther ritualsrituals „ Caida de Mollera (“tossing baby”) „ Empacho (bolus of food lodged in digestive tract) „ Bilis (suppressed anger) „ Muina (outward rage) „ Sobador(aSobador(a)) –– aa kindkind ofof Curandero/aCurandero/a whowho isis aa folkfolk masseur(se)masseur(se) Spiritual/MentalSpiritual/Mental levels:levels: Curandero/aCurandero/a asas medium;medium; soulsoul conceptconcept EvilEvil EyeEye –– MalMal dede OjoOjo

„ AffectsAffects mostlymostly babiesbabies andand sometimessometimes adultsadults

„ EggEgg usedused toto absorbabsorb negativenegative vibrationsvibrations –– cancan bebe describeddescribed asas aa livingliving cell,cell, andand thusthus usedused asas aa sacrificialsacrificial objectobject AfterAfter RitualRitual –– eggegg brokenbroken inin glassglass andand “read”“read” oror diagnoseddiagnosed forfor illnessillness OjoOjo dede VenadoVenado –– ““Deer’sDeer’s Eye”Eye”

„ In reality an amulet; buckeye seed adorned with red yarn and beads to ward off Evil Eye

„ Worn as bracelet or necklace

„ Similar amulets are found in 20 different countries

„ Arabic origins SustoSusto –– LossLoss ofof spirit,spirit, soul;soul; ShockShock (but(but notnot lifelife-- threateningthreatening medicalmedical conditioncondition knownknown asas Shock);Shock); PostPost--TraumaticTraumatic StressStress Syndrome?Syndrome?

MAGICAL FRIGHT (Susto continued) Client being swept with special aromatic plant (rue, basil), which “sweeps away” negative vibrations, retrieves lost soul OtherOther RitualsRituals

1.)1.) CaidaCaida dede MolleraMollera (fallen(fallen fontenellefontenelle)) –– babybaby fall,fall, tossingtossing babybaby (dehydration)(dehydration) 2.)2.) EmpachoEmpacho –– (bolus(bolus ofof foodfood lodgedlodged somewheresomewhere inin digestivedigestive tract)tract) –– bloating,bloating, constipation,constipation, lethargy.lethargy. UseUse massagemassage andand teas,teas, notnot gretagreta (lead(lead dioxide)dioxide) oror azarcazarcóónn (lead(lead tetroxidetetroxide)) –– highlyhighly toxictoxic 3.)3.) LatidoLatido (anorexia(anorexia oror hyperglycemia)hyperglycemia) –– weightweight loss;loss; administeradminister rawraw egg,egg, salt,salt, pepper,pepper, andand juicejuice oror soupsoup –– onion,onion, garlic,garlic, andand cilantrocilantro forfor 99 daysdays OtherOther RitualsRituals (Continued) 4.)4.) BilisBilis && MuinaMuina:: BilisBilis –– SuppressedSuppressed anger;anger; excessiveexcessive bile;bile; gas,gas, constipation,constipation, indigestion;indigestion; EpsomEpsom saltssalts oror otherother laxativeslaxatives onceonce aa weekweek forfor threethree weeksweeks MuinaMuina –– “anger“anger illness,”illness,” ragerage –– subjectsubject maymay becomebecome paralyzed;paralyzed; sweepsweep withwith threethree redred flowersflowers Wed.,Wed., ThurThur.,., andand Fri.;Fri.; administeradminister herbalherbal tea;tea; ifif thisthis doesn’tdoesn’t work,work, personperson isis slappedslapped andand shaken.shaken. DukeDuke UniversityUniversity Study:Study: chronicchronic angeranger leadsleads toto highhigh cholesterolcholesterol andand otherother riskrisk factorsfactors forfor earlyearly deathdeath III.III. WhoWho IsIs aa Curandero/aCurandero/a??

„ Folk Healer working at different levels – Material, Spiritual, Mental „ Curanderismo combines both religious and supernatural elements/levels „ To become a Curandero/a, one either becomes an apprentice, or must have a gift (don) WhoWho IsIs aa Curandero/aCurandero/a?? – Continued

„ SobadorSobador/a/a –– UsesUses powerpower ofof hands,hands, touch;touch; mind/bodymind/body therapytherapy –– holisticholistic approachapproach

„ SeSeññoraora –– ForetellsForetells futurefuture byby readingreading cards;cards; revealsreveals influenceinfluence ofof past;past; saidsaid toto emphasizeemphasize mental/psychicmental/psychic levellevel SOBADOR(A)SOBADOR(A) –– FolkFolk Masseur(se)Masseur(se)

„ SpecializesSpecializes inin aa SobaditaSobadita (sprain)(sprain) andand MassajeMassaje (massage)(massage)

„ MassageMassage TherapyTherapy –– nownow aa $5$5 billionbillion industry;industry; reducesreduces cortisolcortisol (stress(stress hormone);hormone); releasesreleases endorphinsendorphins (natural(natural painkillers)painkillers) OliveOlive OilOil

„ UsedUsed byby SobadorSobador/a/a forfor therapeutictherapeutic massagemassage

„ AlsoAlso excellentexcellent (and(and veryvery healthy)healthy) edibleedible oiloil SobadoraSobadora –– SpecificallySpecifically forfor SobaditaSobadita (sprain)(sprain) SobadoraSobadora –– performingperforming aa MassajeMassaje (whole(whole--bodybody massage)massage)

„ AA SobadoraSobadora isis alsoalso aa goodgood listenerlistener –– whichwhich isis essentialessential toto thethe healinghealing processprocess

„ SheShe employsemploys holisticholistic approachapproach toto healinghealing –– combiningcombining bothboth touchingtouching andand listening,listening, aa firstfirst stepstep toto healinghealing AnotherAnother FolkFolk SobadoraSobadora –– doingdoing MassajeMassaje SeSeññoraora –– CardCard ReaderReader IV.IV. ModernModern InfluenceInfluence ofof ThreeThree GreatGreat Curanderos/asCuranderos/as

LosLos TresTres GrandesGrandes 1.)1.) DonDon PedritoPedrito JaramilloJaramillo (1829(1829--1907)1907) 2.)2.) NiNiññoo FidencioFidencio (1898(1898--1938)1938) 3.)3.) TeresitaTeresita (1873(1873--1906)1906) Curanderos/asCuranderos/as

NeverNever curecure inin ownown name,name, butbut inin namename ofof aa canonizedcanonized saintsaint suchsuch asas thethe VirginVirgin ofof GuadalupeGuadalupe oror SanSan MartinMartin dede PorrasPorras,, oror ofof aa folkfolk saintsaint suchsuch asas DonDon PedritoPedrito,, NiNiññoo Fidencio,Fidencio, oror TeresitaTeresita DonDon PedritoPedrito (1829(1829--1907)1907)

• HealerHealer ofof LosLos OlmosOlmos • AdoptedAdopted SeverianoSeveriano BarreraBarrera • InvestigatedInvestigated byby U.S.U.S. PostPost OfficeOffice • PrescribedPrescribed water,water, baths,baths, andand mudmud • OneOne ofof thethe mostmost powerfulpowerful menmen inin thethe SouthwestSouthwest duringduring hishis lifetimelifetime AndrewAndrew WeilWeil DonDon PedritoPedrito

Modern “Integrative Medicine” specialist Nineteenth Century Mexican Folk Healer – -- emphasizes holistic, common-sense emphasized holistic, common-sense approach to treatment and healing approach to treatment and healing

RumorRumor holdsholds thatthat someonesomeone hehe curedcured gavegave DonDon PedritoPedrito hishis ownown sonson inin gratitude.gratitude. TheThe rumorrumor hashas notnot beenbeen substantiated,substantiated, butbut DonDon PedritoPedrito,, whowho nevernever married,married, diddid adoptadopt SeverianoSeveriano Barrera,Barrera, whowho isis nownow consideredconsidered hishis descendant.descendant.

RaftersRafters atat thethe DonDon PedritoPedrito ChapelChapel inin Falfurrias,Falfurrias, Texas,Texas, containingcontaining currentcurrent testimonialstestimonials ofof peoplepeople healedhealed byby thethe spiritspirit ofof DonDon PedritoPedrito (or(or Curanderos/asCuranderos/as channelingchanneling hishis spirit)spirit) AlsoAlso atat DonDon PedritoPedrito ChapelChapel inin Falfurrias,Falfurrias, TexasTexas –– photos,photos, testimonialstestimonials ofof peoplepeople curedcured byby DonDon Pedrito’sPedrito’s spirit,spirit, asas wellwell asas petitionspetitions forfor DonDon PedritoPedrito toto intercedeintercede inin theirtheir spiritualspiritual healinghealing TeresitaTeresita (1873(1873--1906)1906)

• IllegitimateIllegitimate daughterdaughter ofof poorpoor IndianIndian peasantpeasant andand wealthywealthy aristocraticaristocratic farmerfarmer • ApprenticedApprenticed underunder HuilaHuila • PowersPowers ofof hypnosishypnosis andand prophecyprophecy • FledFled toto NogalesNogales andand ElEl PasoPaso • BuriedBuried inin Clifton,Clifton, ArizonaArizona TeresitaTeresita (Teresa(Teresa UrreaUrrea)) –– LaLa SantaSanta dede CaboraCabora

„ Could hypnotize patients with her eyes alone

„ Could cure them of pain and illness

„ Married John Van Order in New York City

„ Worked for a medical company

„ Toured throughout the U.S., from San Francisco to New York City, healing people Teresita went into seizures, then a coma, after a man attempted to rape her. She was thought dead, and was prepared for burial. She awakened during funeral preparations and sat upright, fully recovered. Three days later, her curandera-mentor Huila died, and was buried in the coffin built for Teresita, who then assumed her teacher’s role as healer. When she was 19, the president of Mexico banished Teresita to Nogales, Arizona, calling her a “dangerous agitator,” and sent 500 armed men to enforce the exile. She moved to El Paso, Texas, where she healed 200 patients a day. Rebels attacking Mexico from New Mexico called themselves Teresistas in her honor, and wore pictures of her pinned to their shirts. „ Teresita was buried next to her father, Don Tomás, in Clifton, Arizona, in 1906.

„ Teresita never saw her father again after she left Arizona for California, following a rift over her “shotgun” marriage to one “Lupe,” who tried to kill her after the wedding. Lupe may have been in the employ of President Diaz, the dictator who had ordered her exiled. NiNiññoo FidencioFidencio (1898(1898--1938)1938)

1.1. NiNiññoo –– innocentinnocent andand childlikechildlike 2.2. AlwaysAlways happyhappy andand laughinglaughing 3.3. CuredCured PresidentPresident PlutarcoPlutarco EliasElias CallesCalles andand daughterdaughter 4.4. LinkedLinked toto JesusJesus ChristChrist –– dieddied atat 3333 (according(according toto folkfolk belief),belief), disciples,disciples, cures,cures, tunic,tunic, barefootbarefoot 5.5. PrescribedPrescribed laughterlaughter 6.6. TwoTwo celebrationscelebrations –– birthbirth (Christmas);(Christmas); deathdeath (Easter)(Easter) „ NiNiññoo gainedgained nationwidenationwide popularitypopularity inin MexicoMexico whenwhen hehe curedcured thethe daughterdaughter ofof PresidentPresident PlutarcoPlutarco EliasElias CallesCalles.. NiNiññoo alsoalso curedcured thethe presidentpresident himselfhimself ofof aa terribleterrible illness.illness.

„ HeHe performedperformed curescures andand miraclesmiracles butbut ranran aa hospitalhospital--likelike facility,facility, combiningcombining conventionalconventional andand traditionaltraditional medicine.medicine. ElEl NiNiññoo asas ChristChrist-- likelike figurefigure

„ DiedDied atat ageage 3333 (according(according toto folklore)folklore)

„ HadHad disciplesdisciples

„ WoreWore aa tunictunic

„ WentWent barefootbarefoot

„ MeditatedMeditated onon aa mountainmountain ElEl NiNiññoo’s’s LegacyLegacy

„ Today, there are two annual celebrations which attract 20,000 people to Espinazo, Mexico, to celebrate the birth and death of El Niño – analogous to Easter and Christmas. „ Fidencistas, followers of El Niño, circle under the healing tree (El Pirulito) he used to sit under when he was alive. „ The healing tree, a Pirul tree in Espinazo, has its own caretaker. It is the first place that petitioners to El Niño’s spirit go during the celebrations ElEl NinoNino’s’s LegacyLegacy -- Continued

„ PenitentsPenitents walk,walk, crawl,crawl, oror rollroll downdown TheThe RoadRoad ofof Penance,Penance, ElEl CaminoCamino dede PenitenciaPenitencia.. These people are walking up to El Serro de la Campana (Bell’s Mountain), like the garden of Gethsemane, to pray for healing power, petition for cures, and to meditate there as El Niño did when he was alive. ManyMany climbclimb intointo aa smallsmall pond,pond, calledcalled ElEl CharquitoCharquito,, toto partakepartake ofof itsits miraculousmiraculous waters.waters. ElEl NiNiññoo isis saidsaid toto havehave bathedbathed leperslepers here.here. Crecensio Alvarado (Chenchito) [at left below], a well-known Curandero, functions as a materia, or medium. Also known as Cajitas, or “little boxes,” such mediums channel the spirit of El Niño to perform healings. Cajitas may also channel other healing spirits, among them Don Pedrito, Teresita, and Aurorita, a little girl who was a healer. ElEl NiNiññoo inin photophoto takentaken duringduring hishis funeral.funeral. HisHis deathdeath waswas shroudedshrouded inin rumorrumor andand mystery.mystery. WasWas hishis throatthroat slitslit whilewhile hehe waswas inin aa trance?trance? OrOr diddid hehe diedie ofof exhaustion?exhaustion? (He(He sleptslept onlyonly 33 hourshours perper nightnight becausebecause ofof hishis intensiveintensive healinghealing activities.)activities.) CommonalitiesCommonalities ofof LosLos TresTres GrandesGrandes

1.)1.) Gift,Gift, dondon,, fromfrom GodGod toto healheal 2.)2.) ConsideredConsidered somewhatsomewhat oddodd oror crazycrazy 3.)3.) NeverNever chargedcharged aa fee,fee, butbut acceptedaccepted donationsdonations 4.)4.) Noble,Noble, sinceresincere andand humblehumble 5.)5.) CharismaticCharismatic leadersleaders 6.)6.) ConsideredConsidered folkfolk saintssaints whilewhile stillstill alivealive 7.)7.) ElEl NiNiññoo (according(according toto folkfolk belief)belief) andand TeresitaTeresita werewere 3333 whenwhen theythey dieddied CommonalitiesCommonalities ofof LosLos TresTres GrandesGrandes (Continued)(Continued) 8.)8.) PowerPower ofof prophecyprophecy 9.)9.) DonDon PedritoPedrito healedhealed throughthrough faithfaith –– thethe OralOral RobertsRoberts ofof hishis timetime 10.)10.) TeresitaTeresita healedhealed throughthrough hypnosishypnosis andand prophecyprophecy –– thethe JeanJean DixonDixon ofof herher timetime 11.)11.) ElEl NiNiññoo healedhealed throughthrough laughterlaughter –– thethe NormanNorman CousinsCousins ofof hishis timetime 12.)12.) AllAll requestedrequested coffinscoffins bebe openedopened inin threethree daysdays V.V. ModernModern Curanderos(asCuranderos(as))

1.)1.) MariaMaria (Houston)(Houston) –– usesuses plantsplants toto healheal andand psychicpsychic healinghealing 2.)2.) CiriloCirilo SanchezSanchez (San(San Antonio)Antonio) ---- exorcismsexorcisms 3.)3.) JewelJewel BabbBabb (Valentine)(Valentine) –– massagemassage therapytherapy andand herbsherbs 4.)4.) ElenaElena AvilaAvila (Albuquerque)(Albuquerque) –– spiritualspiritual cleansingcleansing ritualsrituals Maria,Maria, CuranderaCurandera andand psychicpsychic fromfrom Houston,Houston, Texas;Texas; usesuses plantplant ritualsrituals Maria’sMaria’s clientsclients representrepresent aa crosscross--sectionsection ofof societysociety –– herehere therethere areare insuranceinsurance salesmen,salesmen, dressmakers,dressmakers, maids,maids, etc.etc. Psychic healing: Clients bring plants to Maria, who keeps them for a week; she then tells clients how to take care of them, and the plants “absorb” the clients’ illnesses – a transfer of disease from person to plant through ritual. Cirilo Sanchez of San Antonio came from Mexico in 1913; apprenticed under a relative; uses rituals involving candles, smoking incense, swords, religious icons; induces curative trances. His patients are sometimes referred by physicians. Misfortune, illness both caused by evil spirits – Cirilo Sanchez invents exorcisms, speaks to evil spirits through himself as medium and performs hypnosis therapy to chase evil spirits away, at his invisible Hospital of St. John’s. TheThe PowerPower ofof Belief:Belief: IfIf thethe patientpatient believes,believes, CiriloCirilo SanchezSanchez knowsknows hehe cancan helphelp himhim oror herher becausebecause thethe powerpower ofof faithfaith isis anan integralintegral factorfactor inin thethe healinghealing process.process. JewelJewel BabbBabb ofof Valentine,Valentine, Texas;Texas; “Goat“Goat WomanWoman ofof WestWest Texas”;Texas”; waswas thethe onlyonly doctordoctor inin ValentineValentine

„ UsedUsed massagemassage therapy,therapy, prayerprayer

„ DiscoveredDiscovered growinggrowing powerpower atat ageage 5656

„ KeptKept AloeAloe VeraVera inin herher homehome

„ TalkedTalked toto GodGod

„ DidDid notnot chargecharge forfor servicesservices “The Goat Woman of West Texas”: Lived in Sierra Blanca in a cabin on a ridge; husband was a champion rodeo rider; lost land, moved to Valentine; clients visited her home at all hours; she had a special way with the goats she kept (hence her unusual nickname). JewelJewel BabbBabb performingperforming massagemassage therapytherapy onon aa youngyoung child.child. JewellJewell BabbBabb massagingmassaging baby.baby. ElenaElena AvilaAvila ofof Albuquerque,Albuquerque, NM;NM; aa registeredregistered nursenurse--turnedturned--curanderacurandera whowho cleansescleanses thethe spiritspirit throughthrough ritual.ritual.

„ InIn additionaddition toto thethe eggegg ritual,ritual, employsemploys eagleeagle feathersfeathers forfor spiritualspiritual cleansingscleansings „ ConsidersConsiders herselfherself anan heirheir toto ancientancient AztecAztec healinghealing traditionstraditions „ ParticularlyParticularly powerfulpowerful andand effectiveeffective inin herher treatmenttreatment ofof women’swomen’s traumastraumas VI.VI. CuranderismoCuranderismo ClassesClasses

CoursesCourses havehave beenbeen takingtaking placeplace inin MexicoMexico and/orand/or atat thethe UniversityUniversity ofof NewNew MexicoMexico forfor thethe pastpast threethree years.years. TwoTwo ofof thethe annualannual coursescourses havehave beenbeen collaborationscollaborations betweenbetween thethe UniversityUniversity ofof NewNew MexicoMexico andand LaLa TrancaTranca InstituteInstitute ofof HealingHealing inin CuernavacaCuernavaca.. Another,Another, heldheld inin Oaxaca,Oaxaca, isis sponsoredsponsored byby thethe UNMUNM SchoolSchool ofof Medicine.Medicine. CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 2002,2002, UNMUNM CampusCampus

This photo depicts an Albuquerque-area healer, Lydia Vandiver, D.O.M. (Doctor of Oriental Medicine), working with a patient. She is using “cupping,” or ventosos, to help diagnose illnesses, improve circulation, and alleviate muscle tension. 20022002 UNMUNM Class,Class, ContinuedContinued

Dr. Torres receives therapy from Paula Terero, a Reiki Master who incorporates Reiki into curanderismo. 20022002 UNMUNM Class,Class, continuedcontinued

Teresa Crosier, D.O.M., an Albuquerque-area healer, demonstrates preparation of herbs and tinctures for students. CuernavacaCuernavaca,, SummerSummer 20032003

From left, Arturo Ornelas Lizardi, Director of La Tranca Institute of Healing in Cuernavaca, Mexico, a teaching center for doctors, nurses, and lay healers in curanderismo techniques; Doña Vicenta, a venerated curandera of the Central Mexico region; and a translator. CuernavacaCuernavaca 2003,2003, continuedcontinued

A Mexican curandero, Don Ricardo, a well-known healer from a village near Cuernavaca, demonstrates an egg ritual for American students from the University of New Mexico. CuernavacaCuernavaca 2003,2003, continuedcontinued

Don Ricardo “reading” a broken egg in a glass for the class. CuernavacaCuernavaca 2003,2003, continuedcontinued

The assembled Summer 2003 University of New Mexico folk healing class in Cuernavaca, near La Tranca clinic. CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Morning Ritual led by Mexican Curanderos at Summer 2004 Course in Traditional Medicine at University of New Mexico CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Mexican Curandero Blowing Conch Shell to Invoke Spirits of Nature CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Curandera Performing Cleansing Ceremony Using Incense CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Curandera Performing Healing Ritual on Class Participant CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Father and Daughter Curanderos from Amatlan, Mexico – Representing Passage of Ancient Knowledge from Generation to Generation CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Group Head Massage Exercise Prior to Class CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Dr. Arturo Ornelas Lizardi, Founder, La Tranca Institute of Healing, Cuernavaca, Mexico CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Tonita, a Master Curandera, from a Family Featuring Generations of Traditional Healers CuranderismoCuranderismo Class,Class, SummerSummer 20042004

Demonstration of Traditional Massage Therapy Techniques ¡¡Gracias!Gracias!

ThankThank youyou forfor youryour interestinterest inin thethe greatgreat andand ancientancient artart ofof CuranderismoCuranderismo.. IfIf youyou wouldwould likelike toto learnlearn more,more, pleaseplease contactcontact Dr.Dr. EliseoEliseo TorresTorres atat 505505--277277--0952,0952, oror ee--mailmail atat [email protected]@unm.edu.. OrOr visitvisit hishis webweb pagepage at:at: www.unm.edu/~cheo/Cheo’s folk healing page.htm OrOr toto contactcontact himhim byby mailmail pleaseplease writewrite to:to: OfficeOffice ofof thethe ViceVice PresidentPresident forfor StudentStudent Affairs,Affairs, thethe UniversityUniversity ofof NewNew Mexico,Mexico, Albuquerque,Albuquerque, NMNM 87131.87131.