Traditional Medicine without Borders: Curanderismo in the ...

Updated 7/10/12
Traditional Medicine without Borders: Curanderismo in the Southwest & Mexico
July 16-27, 2012
MTWRF 8:10 a.m. – 12:40 p.m.
Anthropology Bldg, Room 163
UNM Main Campus
Class website: http://curanderismo.unm.edu
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/curanderismo
Instructor: Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, Office: 229 Scholes Hall, (505) 277-0952, cheo@unm.edu
Description: This course will provide information on the history, traditions, rituals, herbs, and remedies of
Curanderismo, a folk healing tradition of the Southwestern United States, Latin America and Mexico.
Please note that there may be some changes in speakers or additions of presentations or activities
throughout the class. We commit some of the speakers several weeks before the beginning of class and at
times they may have to cancel. Any changes will be announced as soon as we become aware of them.
UNM Course listings: (3 credit hours):
Graduate: ANTH 540-010 and LLSS 593-010
Undergraduate: LTAM 400-010, WMST 379-010, SPAN 301-010, CHMS 393-010, ANTH 340-010
Continuing Education: (CEU credits optional):
Course #38409. If you want CEU credits there is a required fee of $20 paid to Francisco Certain on the first
day of class. For questions contact Francisco at (505) 277-0952.
Required Texts:
1. Curandero: A Life in Mexican Folk Healing, Eliseo Torres & Tim Sawyer
2. Healing with Herbs & Rituals: A Mexican Tradition, Eliseo Torres, edited by Tim Sawyer
Optional texts
For further references on Curanderismo, students are encouraged to read the following books:
1. Woman Who Glows in the Dark, Elena Avila RN, Curandera
2. Curandero Conversations: El Niño Fidencio, Shamanism and Healing Traditions of the Borderlands,
Antonio Zavaleta
3. Red Medicine: Traditional Indigenous Rites of Birthing and Healing by Patrisia Gonzales
Optional class supplies such as amulets, sugar skulls and papel picado for the Dia de los Muertos class
are available at Masks y Más, 3021 Central Ave. NE in Albuquerque.
Herbs and tinctures (optional) can be found at B. Ruppe Drug store at 807 4 th St. SW; La Montanita Coop
at 3500 Central SE; The Herb Store at 107 Carlisle SE; Herb Garden at 1108 Dakota NE; and several
Yerberia Juarez locations (268-0499, 831-9206, 873-1229) in Albuquerque
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Special notes:
• Please bring a yoga mat or beach towel during week 2.
• Participation in all ceremonies and events is optional.
• Curanderos(as) use copal (an aromatic tree resin that has been used for ceremonies since the pre-
Columbian Mesoamerican times) during opening ceremonies outside. If you are sensitive to this
incense, you can observe the ceremony from a distance.
• Portions of the class are photographed and/or videotaped for use by the University in
promotional materials. You will be asked to sign a waiver on the first day of class
acknowledging your awareness that you may appear in photos or videos of the class. If you
do not wish be photographed or videotaped, it is your responsibility to remove yourself
from the area being photographed or inform the photographer at the time the pictures are
being taken.
Class requirements:
Students will be responsible for the following in order to receive a grade for this course:
• Daily attendance, punctuality and participation are mandatory
Each student is required to attend every day of this class in order to pass, unless some extraordinary
circumstance arises, in which case you will need to speak to Dr. Torres as soon as possible. Failure to
do so will result in a failing grade. Each day, you are required to sign in before you sit down.
Daily sign in sheets will be removed by 9 a.m. each day. Failure to sign in before 9 a.m. will
result in an absence for that day.
• Daily reflection papers
Completion and submission of daily reflection papers is required for all UNM students taking the class
for credit (forms are provided through WebCT). Every day, you will be asked to write a reaction to the
lecture and/or demonstration(s) that you have observed. You must complete and submit the reflection
papers each day through WebCT. Reflections for the previous day are due at the beginning of the
following day’s class at 8 a.m. and will not be accepted after 10 a.m. (deadlines are listed for each
day). Failure to submit the daily reflections could result in a reduced or possibly a failing grade.
• Final paper
Each student will be required to write and submit a final paper (at least 4 pages for undergraduate
students, at least 6-7 pages for graduate students) through WebCT the final day of class (Friday
July 27, 2012 by 5 p.m.). The paper will be a personal impressions paper on the class and the course
readings in which you will talk about how the class affected you; if/how it changed your life, outlook,
philosophy, etc. You must also relate your information to either the two books by Dr. Torres:
Curandero: A Life in Mexican Folk Healing or Healing with Herbs & Rituals: A Mexican Tradition. Be as
specific as you can when you mention how the readings and/or the class have affected you by
describing the course content, event, or specific readings from the book that you are discussing.
Please note that Dr. Torres may also request that graduate students aid in other class projects.
Students enrolled in Spanish and Portuguese 301-010 may write their paper in Spanish if they wish.
Note: Papers received after July 30 at 10 a.m. will not be accepted and may result in an
incomplete or no grade at all.
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• Good citizenship
Respecting instructors, interpreters and healers and being properly attentive in class is required.
Students should respect the instructors and the healers by paying attention during lectures and
demonstrations, refraining from socializing during lectures and demonstrations, and participating in a
way that is conducive to helping lectures and demonstrations progress in a positive, helpful way.
Please note: The interpreters who are working for our benefit during the class are listening and
translating difficult material from one language to another, and we ask that you please be quiet and
respectful during the translation process.
• Optional events:
1. Temazcales are available in Albuquerque at Temazcal Tonantzin at 6607 Arno NE in Albuquerque
or Los Lunas at Temazcalli Ollin (please call (505) 510-1586 for information on Temazcalli Ollin).
o Temazcales are Mexican sweat lodges that have traditionally been used for healing purposes
in Mexico. If you are sensitive to heat, or are claustrophobic, please consider whether you want
to participate. There is a 20 person limit per temazcal so advanced sign-up is required (sign
up sheets and maps will be available in class).
o Please bring your swimsuits, beach towels or sarongs and one washcloth and a pillow or
blanket to sit on. Fasting the afternoon before the temazcal, is common so you are
encouraged to bring fresh fruit or a light healthy snack (please note: food is provided at
Temazcali Ollin) to share with rest of the group. A “love” donation of $30 is requested at each
of the temazcales. An envelope and a map will be provided when you sign up which can either
be placed in the donation box at the temazcal or given to Laura Alonzo de Franklin or Tonita
Gonzales directly.
2. Three traditional health fairs will be held in different parts of the community. These fairs allow you
to observe hands-on treatment by the curanderos(as). Please see optional events page for more
details.
3. Curanderismo workshops presented by Rita Navarrete Perez and Tonita Gonzales.
4. Curanderismo and traditional healing workshops presented by Kapulli Teocalli Ollin.
5. Teresa Urrea, Santa de Cabora (a one woman play) Performed by Elena Díaz Björkquist at the
National Hispanic Cultural Center, Roy E. Disney Theater on July 19 at 7 p.m.
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Monday, July 16
Class Schedule
Week 1 – Featuring Local Healers
Theme: Introduction to Curanderismo
Time Topic Presenter
8:15 a.m. Community opening ceremony
8:45 a.m. Curanderismo overview with emphasis on herbs, rituals
and the “Three Great Curanderos”
Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Laugh Therapy, risa terapia Rita Navarrete (Mataxhi, Estado de Mexico) &
Tonita Gonzales (Albuquerque)
11:00 a.m. Curanderismo overview continued
11:45 a.m. Panel on the history, therapeutic and ceremonial uses of
Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres
Rita Navarrete, Tonita Gonzales, Laura Alonzo
the temazcal
de Franklin, Laurencio Lopez
Tuesday, July 17 Theme: Introduction to Curanderismo
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Continuation of Curanderismo discussion and description
of herbal/ritual display
Dr. Eliseo “Cheo” Torres
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Medicinal Plants of the Southwest Dr. Thomas Enos (Santa Fe)
11:45 a.m. Emotions that kill (emociones que matan) Rita Navarrete & Tonita Gonzales
Wednesday, July 18 Theme: International Folk Healing Modalities
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Sacred tobacco healing, energy work and the egg Asheninka Mino (Peru), Bernadette Torres
(Albuquerque)
9:00 a.m. Chakra/Herb Healing and Medicinal Plant Knowledge Bernadette Torres
10:00 a.m. Break
10:15 a.m. Cupping (ventosas) demonstration Rita Navarrete & Tonita Gonzales
11:15 a.m. Doctoral dissertation on Curanderismo and Curanderismo
in Sacramento, CA
Dr. Anna Joyce
12:00 p.m. An American’s path to Curanderismo Tonita Gonzales
Thursday, July 19 Theme: Healing with the Arts in Medicine
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Food as medicine and facial remedies with fruits and
plants
Rita Navarrete and Tonita Gonzales
9:45 a.m. Break
10:00 a.m. Spiritual cleansings (limpias) of Oaxaca Laurencio Lopez (Oaxaca)
10:45 a.m. Healing through traditional music Elena Klaver
11:30 a.m. Being Teresita Urrea, La Santa de Cabora Elena Díaz Björkquist
Friday, July 20 Theme: Dia de los Muertos
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. House of Healing, Casa de Salud, blending of modern
allopathic medicine with traditional integrated medicine
Lorraine Cordova Carriaga (Albuquerque)
9:15 a.m. Red Medicine; birth as a ceremony Dr. Patrisia Gonzales, Assistant Professor,
University of Arizona
10:15 a.m. Break
10:30 a.m. Dia de los Muertos presentation & class altar Dr. Anselmo Torres (Cuernavaca, Morelos, MX)

Class Schedule
Week 2 – Featuring Mexican Curanderos(as)
Curanderos(as) from Cuernavaca, Morelos, and Oaxaca, Mexico will be involved during week 2 and will do a number of
presentations and demonstrations such as spiritual cleansings (limpia spiritual)—a ritual related to mal de ojo (the evil eye)
and susto (magical fright), traditional healing with a shawl for body alignment (manteadas tradicionales), shaminanism
(women and men of wisdom), medicinal teas (tes Medicinales). All presentations this week will include a number of
sessions outdoors so please bring your yoga mat or towel during this week.
Monday, July 23
Time Topic Presenter
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Opening ceremony outside of Anthropology Building
8:45 a.m. Introduction of curanderos(as) and their specialties Dr. Arturo Ornelas
9:30 a.m. Mexican traditional medicine Dr. Arturo Ornelas
Outdoor break out Healing the evil eye (mal de ojo)
sessions
Tuesday, July 24
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Opening ceremony outside of Anthropology Building
8:45 a.m. Traditional healing with a shawl for body alignment Profesora Magdalena Brito
Outdoor break out Healing Intestinal blockage (empacho)
sessions
11:00 a.m. Return to classroom for lecture Dr. Arturo Ornelas
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, July 25
Students attend health fair on UNM Campus
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Opening ceremony outside of Anthropology Building
8:45 a.m. Traditional energetic and spiritual cleansings Profesora Velia Herrera
Outdoor break out Healing magical fright (susto)
sessions
Thursday, July 26
8:10 a.m. Oral class reflection of the previous day’s events
8:15 a.m. Opening ceremony outside of Anthropology Building
8:45 a.m. Shamanism (women and men of wisdom) Profesor Valentín Silveti & Sofia Salazar
Outdoor break out Healing sadness (curando tristeza)
sessions
Friday, July 27
Time Topic Presenter
8:15 a.m. Opening ceremony outside of Anthropology Building
8:45 a.m. Medicinal teas (plantas medicinales) Profesora Leticia Amaro Velazquez
Course evaluations, closing ceremonies and
presentation of certificates
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Optional Curanderismo Events
Community temazcal schedule
Date Time Location Type
Sun., July 15 6:30 p.m. Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin (Alb) Women (chocolate)
Mon., July 16 6:30 p.m. Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin (Alb) Community (men & women)
Tue., July 17 5:30 p.m. Laura’s Temazcal Ollin (Los Lunas) Women
6:30 p.m. Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin (Alb) Community (men & women) (barro/clay)
7:30 p.m. Laura’s Temazcal Ollin (Los Lunas) Women
Wed., July 18 5:30 p.m. Laura’s Temazcal Ollin (Los Lunas) Community (men & women)
6:30 p.m. Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin (Alb) Women (honey & roses)
7:30 p.m. Laura’s Temazcal Ollin (Los Lunas) Community (men & women)
Thurs. July 19 5:30 p.m. Laura’s Temazcal Ollin (Los Lunas) Community (men & women)
7:30 p.m. Laura’s Temazcal Ollin (Los Lunas) Women
Sat., July 21 8 p.m. Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin (Alb) Community (men &women) Nocturno/Night
Tue., July 24 6:30 p.m. Tonita’s Temazcal Tonantzin (Alb) Community (men and women)
Date Time
Traditional Mexican Health Fairs Schedule
Location Extras
Mon. July 23 4-9 p.m. La Plazita
Performances by traditional Aztec dancers-
831 Isleta Blvd. Alb., NM 87105
Circulo Solar Ollin Xochipilli
Tues., July 24 Noon–4 p.m. UNM Plaza outside the SUB north entrance Free workshops from 12 -12:45 p.m. Lobo A & B
in the SUB (see description)
Thurs., July 26 4–9 p.m. National Hispanic Cultural Center
1701 4th Free workshops from 6 – 6:45 p.m. (see
Street SW (courtyard area)
description) Live entertainment
Optional community events and activities (Classes are $30 each. Suggested love donations for temazcals are $30)
Date Time Subject Location
Mon. July 16 1:30–5:30 p.m. Curanderismo Around the World, Celtic, Jewish & Native Sponsored by Kalpuli Teocali Ollin
American
Held at UNM in Anth. Bldg. Room 108
2-6 p.m. Hands on traditional healing class on Therapeutic uses of Traditional Healing/Temazcal Tonantzin
the temazcal
Tues., July 17 1:30-5:30 p.m. Healing Touch Class: Using our Senses in Curanderismo Sponsored by Kalpuli Teocali Ollin
Held at UNM in Anth. Bldg. Room 108
2-6 p.m. Hands on traditional healing class on Emotions that kill Traditional Healing/Temazcal Tonantzin
2–6 p.m. Herbal walk and preparation class (Laurencio Lopez) Hubble House Gardens
6029 Isleta Blvd., Alb.
Weds., July 18 1:30-5:30 p.m. Ritual & Ceremony in the Temazcal using EBTs
(evidence-based treatments)
UNM Valencia
2-6 p.m. Hands on traditional healing class on Cupping (ventosas) Traditional Healing/Temazcal Tonantzin
2–6 p.m. Herbal walk and preparation class (Laurencio Lopez) Hubble House Gardens
6029 Isleta Blvd., Alb.
Thurs. July 19 1:30-5:30 p.m. Sacred Medicine Pouch and Rattle-Making Sponsored by Kalpuli Teocali Ollin
Held at UNM in Anth. Bldg. Room 108
2-6 p.m. Hands on traditional healing class on facial remedies with Traditional Healing/Temazcal Tonantzin
fruits and plants
7 p.m. Teresa Urrea, a reknowned curandera, Santa de Cabora Hispanic Cultural Center
(a one woman play) Performed by Elena Díaz Björkquist Roy E. Disney Theater
Sat., July 21 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sacred Drum Making Workshop – materials are provided Sanjevani Integrative Medicine Health &
for you (cost is $150 or $125)
Lifestyle Center (see flyer for address)
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