Research Essay

Ultima was a curandera. A curandera is part of a folk medicine system known as curanderismo. According to researchers, "Curanderismo is a diverse folk healing system of Latin America. It began with the Aztecan, Mayan, and Incan tribes and their religious beliefs of harmony with nature, spirit, and self. The Mexican Indians had many gods; they believed that their gods punished sins with illness. Therefore, disease or illness was supernatural in nature. As a balance, some mortals, who were spiritually chosen, were given the power to heal the wounded spirit and cure the supernatural illness. This is the role of the curanderos and curanderas."¹

Compare the work of Ultima and her young assistant, Antonio with the work of actual curanderismo practioners. Draw a conclusion.

Cite the Bless Me, Ultima text at least six times, and cite at least 4 articles. Articles are found in the PowerSchool classroom. MLA format is expected.

1. Ricardo Padilla, ;Veronica Gomez, ;Stacy L. Biggerstaff, Philip S. Mehler

"Use of Curanderismo in a Public Health Care System"

May 28, 2001

Arch Intern Med. 2001

Works Cited

Anaya, Rudolfo. Bless Me, Ultima. Warner Books, 1972.

Moreno, Mark. "Healer Opens Door to Conversation on Holistic Practices." The Monitor,

June 18, 2018.

Padilla, Ricardo; Veronica Gomez; Stacy L. Biggerstaff; and Philip S. Mehler. "Use of Curanderismo

in a Public Health Care System." Archives of Internal Medicine, May 28, 2001.

Whitehead, Travis. "Curandero Offers Folk Healing through Herbalism, Faith." The Brownsville Herald,

May 09, 2010.

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