6.5 Curanderismo

As immigrants to industrialized countries bring a variety of indigenous and folk beliefs to their encounters with mainstream medical practitioners, cross-cultural issues are becoming more important in medicine. In areas where there is a large Hispanic population, the curandero is a healer. This description from the Handbook of Texas Online provides information about curanderismo. After reading the article, respond to the following:

1			Describe the differences between the three most common types of curandero and the training required to become one.
2			Explain the actions of the brujos and what a person can do when there is suspicion of victimization.
3			What might a person with a life-threatening illness expect to encounter in treatment by a curandero?
4			How do these practices compare with your beliefs and experiences with healing?