CURANDERAS VS BRUJAS

Learn about the similarities and differences with curanderas and brujas

1. La curandera vs. la bruja By Kimberly Meikalike May 7, 2019

2. BLESS ME ULTIMA Bless me ultima, created by Rudolfo Anaya depicts an old healer /curandera named Ultima who stays with Antonio and his family. She is a midwife and also is the go to person to lift curses Her witchery is rooted in indigenous traditions but also has catholic roots

3. I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem Tituba is a slave from Barbados who Uses magic like conjuring and root work Draws from nature and elements around her

4. Curandera vs Bruja Though curandera and bruja practices are very similar, there are distinct differences that make that make these two things completely different to those who practice them

5. BRUJA A bruja is the Spanish word for witch Spiritual practices tied to African, Caribbean, and Indigenous Latin American traditions Their witchery consists of rituals, spells, potions and nature to do good or evil against others Can include root work, conjuring, and witchery

6. Rootwork Root work is a type of witchery that works with natural energies of herbs and roots to bring about a desired outcome. Tituba is knowledgeable and able to use herbs around her. She has travelled many times and her strength is that she can always find healing herbs

7. CONJURING To conjure, brujas call upon a spirit or ghost by means of magical ritual Greatly influenced by religious beliefs of the Congo region Conjuring is seen in I, Tituba when Tituba conjures up the spirits of her mother Abena and Mama Yaya

8. Witchery Witchery can be used for both good and bad White witches: do good Black witches: do bad and cast spells meant for pay back.

9. CURANDERA A curandera is a healer who uses folk remedies Usually respected by communities Uses herbs, magic, and spiritualism to treat illnesses, lift curses, and impart wisdom

10. HEALING Traditionally, curanderas are healers and they use plants herbs and magic to heal others Ultima uses her powers on Antonio. “ I had received cuts from tree branches, the cuts were red with dry blood and the welts were sore. But last nights cuts were only pink lines.

11. FOLK REMEDIES Folk remedy practices combine physical and spiritual elements of health Remedies include holistic approaches like using rose, lavender, aloe vera , and mint to sooth Remedies can heal physical problems like colds, infections, and sprains. https://www.tusaludmag.com/article/curandero-latino-folk-medicine-25045-1878

12. Differences in Geographic origins Bruja Specific to Africa, the Caribbean, and Indigenous Latin American countries. Curandera Specific to the Indigenous, Mexican community

13. Similarities In Use of Nature Both curandera and brujas both take the more holistic approach and use the nature around them to heal Uses herbs, plants, flowers to heal Knowledgeable about which plants are safe to use and which are not

14. Similarities with Gender Brujas and curanderas are usually women Today many women still continue the traditions of curandera and bruja all over the world Curanderas and brujas can also act as midwives Male healers (curanderos) and male witches ( brujos ) are lesser known

15. Conclusion The witches and healers that Maryse Condo and Rudolfo Anaya both depict in their stories have many similarities including their use of nature and healing practices but differ in how they practice their magic and their geographical location. All in all, brujas and curanderas are both women, specifically women of color who have a large impact on their communities.