Curandera

A curandera is a type of female shaman. The curanderas have practiced for hundreds of years, and still do their work, in Mexico and the southwestern United States.

They are important in the Hispanic and Native American culture of New Mexico, where they often experienced discrimination because they were believed to be witches. They are believed to have great spiritual and healing powers. The title character in the book "Bless Me, Ultima", by the Chicano author Rudolfo Anaya, is a curandera. Curanderas are also important in Mexico. The mother of Mexican author and shaman Don Miguel Ruiz, is a curandera.