The 2009 Curanderismo Class, “Traditional Medicine without Borders: Curanderismo in the Southwest & Mexico,” a two week course, begins July 20-31, from 8:10 a.m. to 12:40 p.m. in Anthropology Lecture Hall Room 163. In its eighth year and taught by UNM Vice President for Student Affairs Eliseo “Cheo” Torres, the popular summer class provides traditional healers of all backgrounds, western medicine practitioners and members of the public, the opportunity to come together to share knowledge about the art and science of the Mexican folk healing tradition called Curanderismo.
Torres takes an integrative approach to medicine and his class features demonstrations incorporating Curanderismo with various traditional and holistic health techniques. The course uses healers and health practitioners from UNM, Mexico and the Albuquerque community as instructors.
“In the eight years we’ve held the class, it has grown in popularity,” said Eliseo “Cheo” Torres. We had more than 100 students last year. What’s unique about this class is that local curanderos, practitioners and healers all come together to share and learn about traditional healing methods. The first week local curanderos will be involved, while Mexican curanderos and local curanderos will take part in week two.”
For a course syllabus visit: Traditional Medicine Without Borders: Curanderismo in the Southwest & Mexico.
Also in conjunction with the class, the UNM Women’s Resource Center, in partnership with the New Mexico Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative, National Hispanic Cultural Center & the City of Albuquerque Cultural Services Department, will sponsor and host several Mexican Traditional Ferias de Salud (health fairs) and free workshops around the city and also in Espanola, Santa Fe and Denver.
Torres said some 20 well-known Mexican folk healers/curanderos(as) from the México City area, including the communities of Cuernavaca, Tepoztlán and Amatlán, will participate in various health fairs in Albuquerque from July 28-30.
“They will discuss traditional healing therapies including herbal medications, spiritual cleansings and other healing techniques, which have remained a part of the Mexican culture for centuries,” said Torres. “Treatments will be available and donations accepted.”
For a complete list of health fairs and workshop descriptions visit: Mexican Traditional Health Fairs.
Tuesday, July 28
12 - 2:30 p.m. – UNM Traditional Mexican Health Fair – Feria de Salud (Outside of the SUB north entrance)
12 – 1:30 p.m. – Renowned Mexican Folk Healers Curanderos(as) from the Mexico City Area will speak in Lobo A and B upstairs in SUB
12 – 12:30 p.m. – Risa Terapia – Rita Navarrete, Curandera – Eliminating negative energy and healing yourself through laughter
12:30 – 1 p.m. – Velia Herrera, Curandera – Usage of medicinal plants, traditional massage, and spiritual cleansings for a holistic healing approach Limpias Espirituales y plantas medicinales
1 – 1:30 p.m. – Juan Carlos Solano, Curandero – Traditional healing through the practice of ocean shell sounds for spiritual cleansings and the usage of obsidian stone for energy treatments Uso terapéutico del caracol y la obsidiana
5 – 10 p.m. – Mexican Traditional Health Fair ~ Feria de Salud
Old Town Plaza (Gazebo area) & Old Town Chapel
(Patio Escondido ~ 404 San Felipe)
Wednesday, July 29
5 – 10 p.m. – Traditional Mexican Health Fair ~ Feria de Salud
La Placita ~ 827 Isleta Blvd. SW, Albuquerque, NM 87105
Thursday, July 30
5 –10 p.m. – Traditional Mexican Health Fair ~ Feria de Salud
National Hispanic Cultural Center (1701 4th Street SW, courtyard between Salon Ortega and La Fonda Restaurant)
Free Workshops – July 30
6 – 7:30 p.m. – Renowned Mexican Folk Healers/Curanderos(as) from the Mexico City Area will speak. Talks will be interpreted.
National Hispanic Cultural Center, Wells Fargo Auditorium
6 – 6:30 p.m. – Risa Terapia – Rita Navarrete, Curandera – Eliminating negative energy and healing yourself through laughter
Media Contacts: Steve Carr, (505) 277-1821; e-mail: scarr@unm.edu or Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at July 10, 2009 12:12 PM