Magic and Medicine in Colonial Yucatán
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A World of Cures: Magic and Medicine in Colonial Yucatán Item Type text; Electronic Dissertation Authors Kashanipour, Ryan Amir Publisher The University of Arizona. Rights Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author. Download date 09/10/2021 20:09:11 Link to Item http://hdl.handle.net/10150/243116 A WORLD OF CURES: MAGIC AND MEDICINE IN COLONIAL YUCATÁN by Ryan Amir Kashanipour ____________________ Copyright © Ryan Amir Kashanipour 2012 A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of the DEPARTMENT OF HISTORY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements For the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY In the Graduate College THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA 2012 2 THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA GRADUATE COLLEGE As members of the Dissertation Committee, we certify that we have read the dissertation prepared by Ryan Amir Kashanipour entitled “A World of Cures: Magic and Medicine in Colonial Yucatán” and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. _______________________________________________________ Date: 06/25/2012 Dissertation Director: Kevin Gosner _______________________________________________________ Date: 06/25/2012 Martha Few _______________________________________________________ Date: 06/25/2012 Bert J. Barickman Final approval and acceptance of this dissertation is contingent upon the candidate's submission of the final copies of the dissertation to the Graduate College. I hereby certify that I have read this dissertation prepared under my direction and recommend that it be accepted as fulfilling the dissertation requirement. 3 STATEMENT BY AUTHOR This dissertation has been submitted in partial fulfillment of requirements for an advanced degree at the University of Arizona and is deposited in the University Library to be made available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this dissertation are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgement of source is made. Requests for permission for extended quotation from or reproduction of this manuscript in whole or in part may be granted by the copyright holder. SIGNED: Ryan Amir Kashanipour 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The roots of this project began after bout of illness in the Lacandón jungles of Chiapas in the 1990s. An experience with a mysterious series of afflictions—pumpkin- colored skin, sudden extreme welling, and pains that spanned from hair to heal—landed me the center of attention of a group of indigenous healers. Old men and young women, curanderos and herbateros, local elites and recent immigrants all clamored around my ailing body as they shared remedies and debated diagnosis. This encounter illustrated the fundamental ways that sickness and healing served to create social ties through the production of knowledge. And this continues to guide my research. This project could not have been carried out without the financial, intellectual, and emotional backing of a host of institutions and individuals. The research and writing of the dissertation was funded by the generous support of the Department of History and the Graduate College at the University of Arizona, Council for Library Information Resources, the Wenner-Gren Foundation, Spanish Ministry of Culture, Andrew Mellon Foundation, and Max Planck Institute for the History of Science. I have been incredibly lucky to have generous supporters who have shared their intellect, wisdom, and, most importantly, friendship. I am deeply thankful for the brilliance of my friends and colleagues, including Alexander Hidalgo, John Klingemann, Stan Landry, Owen Jones, Matthew Furlong, Mark Lentz, and Vikas Rathee. In Mexico City, Amanda López, María Muñoz, and Stephen Neufeld, proved to be true compadres and I loved sharing research experiences with them. I would like to specifically thank Robert Scott for his sage editorial commentary and unfailing interest for all things Maya. My mentors-turned-friends have served as continual sources of support and inspiration. Jon McGee introduced me to indigenous communities, the study of the Maya, and how to never overlook the joys of life. John Chuchiak’s overwhelmingly generous with sources, time, and friendship has reminded me that scholarship is a collective endeavor enriched by caring and compassion. Martha Few has inspired me with her curiosity, originality, and willingness to share ideas and experiences. Bert Barickman’s demand for both respect for convention and originality has pushed my work to be informed and creative. Because of Bert, I will always strive to sing and dance and cook and drink the past. Kevin Gosner has showed me how to balance the demands of academia and family. His careful eye, endless patience, and unwavering support have made this dissertation possible. More importantly, I am exceedingly grateful for having Kevin forever as a mentor, colleague, and friend. I cannot thank family enough. I am eternally indebted to Haji Hossein Agha and Steffania Kashanipour, my parents, for inspiring me to challenge convention and seek answers. While my “paper” took far longer than anticipated, they always stressed the need to know more. My thirst for learning comes directly from them. Finally, my family is my greatest joy and inspiration. Myles, Iris, and Dahlia provide daily and constant reminders of what matters—to love, to play, and to be inquisitive. Andrea is, and has always been, the one . Everyday, no matter how far apart, I have been enriched by her artistry and humor, passion and wit, and love and affection. .Danke. Mil graçias y jach dyos bo’otik a tulakal , نونمم لخ 5 DEDICATION To Ani, for your never-ending patience, kindness, encouragement, and love. 6 TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS...............................................................................................8 LIST OF TABLES...............................................................................................................9 ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................................10 CHAPTER ONE – INTRODUCTION: ETHNOHISTORY AND THE MATRIX OF MEDICINE............................................................................................................11 Introduction...................................................................................................11 Ethnomedicine, Ethnohistory, and the Atlantic World.................................22 Research and Organization...........................................................................38 CHAPTER TWO – OF DISEASE, DISASTERS, AND DECLINE: THE EPIDEMICS AND CALAMITIES OF COLONIAL YUCATÁN..............................................42 Introduction...................................................................................................42 Catastrophic Contexts...................................................................................45 Epidemias in Colonial Yucatán....................................................................54 “Heavy Shadows and Black Night” of Epidemic Diseases..........................64 Between Drought and Deluge.......................................................................71 Achaques and Chronic Disease.....................................................................79 Conclusion....................................................................................................84 CHAPTER THREE – LANDSCAPES OF MAGIC: IDOLATRY, WITCHCRAFT AND SUPERSTITION IN COLONIAL YUCATÁN....................................................86 Introduction...................................................................................................86 Towards a Definition of Magic.....................................................................91 Creating a Colonial Culture..........................................................................98 Ethnicity and the Yucatec Inquisition.........................................................106 Magic and Social Relations........................................................................111 “Sobre las dichas Indias” ..........................................................................118 The Geography of Magic............................................................................126 The Sickness and Sin of Idolatry................................................................133 La Mala Vida and the Cures for Love........................................................143 Conclusion..................................................................................................154 CHAPTER FOUR – TO CURE WITH CURSES, TO HEAL WITH HERBS: LOCATING HEALING IN COLONIAL YUCATÁN.......................................156 Introduction.................................................................................................156 Maya Medicine in the Colonial Dawn........................................................161 “La tierra enferma” ...................................................................................172 Professional Physicians and Absent Administrators...................................176 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS – Continued A Space for Healers....................................................................................187 The Magical and the Medical.....................................................................196