Curandero

==History in Latin America==

==History in Latin America==

The term ''curanderos'' can be traced back to the Spanish colonization of Latin America. Curanderos in this part of the world are the result of the mixture of traditional Indigenous medicinal practices and Catholic rituals. There was also an influence from African rituals brought to Latin America by slaves.<ref name="mrt.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mrt.com/news/article/Univision-Curanderos-carry-on-traditions-of-7572561.php|title=Univision: Curanderos carry on traditions of Catholicism, African rites|website=mrt.com|date=15 February 2005 }}</ref> Curandero/a comes from the root ''curar'' in Spanish which literally translates to cure. Thus, a curandero/a is one who heals. Curanderos go beyond Western medicine, linking illness with evil spirits. This extends a curandero's duties to cover not only physical ailments but also psychological and interpersonal issues. Among the illnesses that Curandero/a's help with range from the mundane stomach ache to certain spiritual illnesses such as ''[[susto]], [[Evil eye|mal de ojo]],'' and even reversing [[black magic]]. Traditional communities see all of these issues as a loss of spirit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newstaco.com/2013/09/26/what-are-curanderos-in-hispanic-cultures/|title=What are curanderos in Hispanic cultures? - News Taco|website=newstaco.com|date=26 September 2013 }}</ref> They believe that the curanderos can enter different dimensions where they are able to find the solutions to a person's illness or problem. Furthermore, they believe that God or the Higher Creator gives curanderos difficult and painful experiences so that they are better able to assist their patients.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.english.palomacervantes.com/what-is-a-curandera/|title=What is a Curandera or Curandero?|date=9 August 2013|website=palomacervantes.com}}</ref> In Colonial Latin America, female folk healers, or curanderas, were often conflated with ''brujas'' (witches), which refers to those who cast spells; although curanderas were persecuted during such times, it is likely because they were females in positions of authority, not because of their healing methods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onfaith.co/onfaith/2010/10/25/can-a-catholic-be-a-witch/7379|title=Can a Catholic be a witch? - OnFaith|date=25 October 2010|website=onfaith.co|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205194657/https://www.onfaith.co/onfaith/2010/10/25/can-a-catholic-be-a-witch/7379|archive-date=5 December 2017|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Today many women and men continue the curandero tradition in Mexico and the southwestern United States.<ref name="mrt.com"/>

The term ''curanderos'' can be traced back to the Spanish colonization of Latin America. Curanderos in this part of the world are the result of the mixture of traditional Indigenous medicinal practices and Catholic rituals. There was also an influence from African rituals brought to Latin America by slaves.<ref name="mrt.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.mrt.com/news/article/Univision-Curanderos-carry-on-traditions-of-7572561.php|title=Univision: Curanderos carry on traditions of Catholicism, African rites|website=mrt.com|date=15 February 2005 }}</ref> Curandero/a comes from the root ''curar'' in Spanish which literally translates to cure. Thus, a curandero/a is one who heals. Curanderos go beyond Western medicine, linking illness with evil spirits. This extends a curandero's duties to cover not only physical ailments but also psychological and interpersonal issues. Among the illnesses that Curandero/a's help with range from the mundane stomach ache to certain spiritual illnesses such as ''[[susto]], [[Evil eye|mal de ojo]],'' and even reversing [[black magic]]. Traditional communities see all of these issues as a loss of spirit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newstaco.com/2013/09/26/what-are-curanderos-in-hispanic-cultures/|title=What are curanderos in Hispanic cultures? - News Taco|website=newstaco.com|date=26 September 2013 }}</ref> They believe that the curanderos can enter different dimensions where they are able to find the solutions to a person's illness or problem. Furthermore, they believe that God or the Higher Creator gives curanderos difficult and painful experiences so that they are better able to assist their patients.<ref>{{cite web |date= |title=What is a Curandera or Curandero? |url=https://rainyblue.org/what-does-a-curandero-do/ |website=rainyblue.org}}</ref> In Colonial Latin America, female folk healers, or curanderas, were often conflated with ''brujas'' (witches), which refers to those who cast spells; although curanderas were persecuted during such times, it is likely because they were females in positions of authority, not because of their healing methods.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.onfaith.co/onfaith/2010/10/25/can-a-catholic-be-a-witch/7379|title=Can a Catholic be a witch? - OnFaith|date=25 October 2010|website=onfaith.co|access-date=5 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205194657/https://www.onfaith.co/onfaith/2010/10/25/can-a-catholic-be-a-witch/7379|archive-date=5 December 2017|url-status=usurped}}</ref> Today many women and men continue the curandero tradition in Mexico and the southwestern United States.<ref name="mrt.com"/>

==History in the United States==

==History in the United States==