The Curanderismo Collection is comprised of materials from the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. Curanderismo, or folk healing, involves a trained healer, or curandero(a), who treats a person experiencing physical or spiritual illness.
Dr. Robert Trotter (Medical Anthropologist) and Juan Antonio Chavira (Medical Sociologist/Anthropologist) produced the curanderismo materials in a project during the late 1970s in South Texas. The project, "Proyecto Comprender" served as a valuable source of information for regional public health and medical professionals who sought to better understand Mexican American concepts of health and illness. The original materials include 35 mm photographic slides, 16 mm moving image film, and cassette and reel-to-reel audio recordings used to create a film, a slide series with an accompanying soundtrack, and a monograph).
The collection is open for research. All materials have been digitized and are available online.
Grant Funding: Digitization of the collection materials for online access was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission through the 2013-2014 TexTreasures Grant Program.
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Audio Takes_01
Audio clips of takes for the film "Los Que Curan" . Out takes -sound and film-cards and barrida Rustly' junk.
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Card Reading_02
Doña Maria
Conversation with a curandera about her practices and recording of sessions with her customers. Interview Dona Maria-silver-FamilyA_Side1andSide2
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Card Reading_03
Cristina Simmons F.
Conversations about the reading of cards. Cristina Simmons-Rifas.
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Card Reading_04
Conversation with a woman about the procedures she follows before card reading and how she reads them.
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Card Reading_06
Audio for the film "Los Que Curan". Reading of Cards. Heads card shuffling and intro Juan's cards.
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Card Reading_Lecture_01
Treviño
Lecture on the meaning of cards and how to diagnose issues using them. Part1_Interview with Dona Maria-Silver-Diagnosis-Rifas
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Card Reading_Lecture_02
Chris Simmons
Description of the meaning of cards and how they are read. Chris Simmons_Reading the Cards_Side1 and Side2.
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Curanderismo Experience_01
Señor Trevino, Mrs. Bravo, Mrs. Balderas, and Robert Noriega
Conversation about curanderismo experiences.
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Curanderismo Experience_02
Robert Noriega
Conversation about curanderismo experiences. Robert Noriega and Unidentified.
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Curanderismo Practices
Doña Maria
Explanation of curanderismo practices done by a woman. Tape 2 Side 1 and Side 2 Doña Maria Initial Contact.
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Curanderismo Practices_Remedies
Treviño
Conversation about the different curanderismo practices, evil and good, that can be found on the field. There is also a discussion about the healing procedures done by curanderos when treating specific issues.
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Curanderismo Practices_Temples
Alfonso Treviño
Conversation about the different practices done at a temple, including the needed individuals for each occasion like videntes, clarividentes and mediums. Alfonso Treviño.
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Curanderismo Profession; Card Reading_05
Narration about the profession of a curandero, specifically about a curandero called Poncho. Recording of a card reading session. Sound tracks- narration and bk6 sound-Los que curan
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Curanderismo Slide Audio_03
Narration for the different sections of the slide show for Proyecto Comprender. Narration Transfer Entire Tape.
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Curanderismo Slide Show Audio_01
Mike Cantu
Narration for the different sections of the slide show for Proyecto Comprender. Narration for Slide Series Proyecto Comprender—Mike Cantu
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Curanderismo Slide Show Audio_02
Mike Cantu
Narration for the different sections of the slide show for Proyecto Comprender. Narration for Slide Series Proyecto Comprender 2—Mike Cantu
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Curanderismo Slide Show Audio_04
Narration for the different sections of the slide show for Proyecto Comprender. Narration-Master_Curanderismo-Opt Health Syst
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Curanderismo Slide Show Audio_05
Narration about the Mexican-American population, of their general cultural and social economic standing and an introduction to curanderismo. Proyecto Comprender Pan American University
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Healing Take_01
Audio recording for the film "Los Que Curan" for the healing take. Interview with couple in Reynosa-Marta's Barrida
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Healing Take_02
Don Jose
Audio recording for the film "Los Que Curan" for the healing take. Don Jose cure-burning tail out.
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Informative Recording_1965 Act
Don Ignacio
Informative recording of the 1965 Act which focus on helping economically the elderly population. Don Ignacio Voice Master 1 reel.
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Interview with Curandero_01
Poncho
Interview with a curandero in regards to common practices in his field of work. Poncho in Reynosa_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Curandero_02
Doña Maria
Conversation with a curandero about his practices and knowledge of curanderismo, clarividencia and other aspects of the field.
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Interview with Curandero_03
Señor Treviño
Conversation with curandero about his knowledge of spiritual help and guidance, both evil and good.
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Interview with Curandero_04
Conversation with curandero about his knowledge of spiritual help and guidance, both evil and good.
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Interview with Curandero_05
Conversation about a spiritual experience with curanderos. Discussion of Séance.
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Interview with Curandero_06
Señor Treviño
Conversation about a spiritual experience with curanderos.
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Interview with Curandero_07
Alfonso Treviño
Conversation with a curandero about spiritual possession, spiritual guidance and spiritual sessions.
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Interview with Curandero_08
Treviño
Conversation with a curandero about his practices and knowledge of curanderismo, it is also discussed in further detailed the methods of healing that exist-mental, spiritual and material. Trevino by Trotter and Hurtado
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Interview with Curandero_10
Doña Maria
Conversation with a curandera about the materials that are used either for healing or for harming an individual, she also speaks about her spiritual knowledge and the spirits that protect her. Dona Maria_Preguntas_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Curandero_11
Treviño
Conversation with a curandero about spiritual possession, spiritual guidance and spiritual sessions. Trevino.
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Interview with Curandero_12
Treviño
Conversation with a curandero about spiritual possession, spiritual guidance and spiritual sessions. He speaks about the aspects of curanderismo that are not shared to the public. Side1_Trevino
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Interview with Curandero_13
Poncho
Conversation with a curandero about a spiritual healing. Side2_Poncho
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Interview with Curandero_14
Audio recording of a conversation with a curandero that was used for the film "Los Que Curan". Barrida outtakes.
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Interview with Curandero apprentice
Conversation about curanderos and the risks and assessments that have to be passed in order to become a certified curandero. Interviewee relates his and his family's experiences. Noriega.
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Interview with Customers of Curanderos
Don Jose
Audio recording of a conversation with people that have knowledge and experience in the curanderismo field, this recording was used for Proyecto Comprender
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Interview with Partera_01
Doña Maria
Interview with partera, about her life, how they became parteras, and their experiences. Tape2Copy_02-Raymondville-Willacy_Side1
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Interview with Partera_02
Interview with partera, topics: about her life, how she became partera and her experiences in the field. Tape1Copy_03-SanBenito-Cameron_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_04
Interview with partera, topics: her life, how she became partera, her experiences in the field and interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_06-SanBenito-Cameron_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_05
Interview with partera, topics: her life, how she became partera, her experiences in the field and interaction with doctors and other health clinics.
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Interview with Partera_06
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other clinics.
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Interview with Partera_07
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other clinics. Tape1Copy_10-McAllen-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_08
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other clinics. A large portion of this recording is blank; Tape2Copy_11-McAllen-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_09
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_23-Hidalgo-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_10
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_24-Hidalgo-HidalgoCity_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_11
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics.
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Interview with Partera_13
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_27-McAllen-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_14
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_28-Donna-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_15
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_30-Weslaco-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_17
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics.
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Interview with Partera_18
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_34-McAllen-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_19
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_35-McAllen-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_20
Interview with partera about her life, how she became a partera, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health clinics. Tape1Copy_38-Progreso-Hidalgo_Side1andSide2
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Interview with Partera_21
Doña Maria
Interview with partera, her life, her experiences in the field, her interaction with doctors and other health institutions. Dona Maria Gutierrez-Partera by Trotter and Hurtado.
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Interview with Poncho
Audio recording for the film "Los Que Curan" for the interview with the curandero Poncho. R1-12-635' Los que curan
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Interview with Sobadora
Doña Maria
Conversation with a sobadora about her field of work, how she learned it and how she heals specific injuries. Dona Maria_Como Sobar and some interesting observations on food stamps.
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Introductory Narration
Introductory Narration for the film "Los Que Curan". Fields Curandero Interview.
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Los Que Curan
Pan American University
"The people of the Lower Rio Grande Valley made this film possible. Our grateful thanks to them. Especially to Marta Balderas, Socorro Bravo, Jose Meave, and Guadalupe Meave."
"The production of this film was supported by Grant No. 75-108G from the Regional Medical Program of Texas. However, its contents are solely the responsibility of Pan American University and are in no way the responsibility of the Regional Medical Services, The Health Services and Mental Health Administration or the Department of Health, Education and Welfare."
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Mental and Spiritual Healing Narration
Description of the mental and spiritual method of healing. Curan G Mixed
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Mexican American Culture Narration
Narration about the Mexican-American population, its culture, economic and social status and its relation to curanderismo. Curan A—D Mixed
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Origins and Evolution
Narration. Origins and Evolution. Program C-Origins and Eval_Overview and Practices of curanderos. Program D-Levels of Curanderismo.
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Prayer for Spiritual Sessions
Recording of the prayers used on a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit, this recording was used for the film "Los Que Curan".
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Prayers Against Evil Spirits
Doña Maria
Prayers done by Doña Maria against evil spirits. She also explains about the process of "curacion" against evil.; she also explains the use of different candles in curanderismo practices, different procedures for Barrida and the meaning of cards.
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Project Planning_01
Señor Treviño
Conversation about possible interviewees and curanderismo experiences.
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Project Planning_02
Señor Treviño, Mrs. Bravo, and Mrs. Balderas
Conversation about curanderismo experiences and planning of the project. Senor Trevino and Mrs. Bravo and Mrs. Balderas; Curanderismo-Spiritualism
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Project Planning_03
Doña Maria Curandera
Conversation about curanderos, curanderismo, and Mexican American culture; other idle talk. Side3_8-27-74 Chavira y Trotter
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Spirit Possession_01
Doña Maria Curandera, Aida Hurtado, and Robert Noriega
Conversation about spirit possession, woman speaking about her experiences.
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Spirit Possession_02
Doña Maria Curandera and Aida Hurtado
Prayers done by a woman and explanation of her experiences and knowledge of spiritual possession. Conversation about curanderismo practices. Last file is only testing recording.
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Spiritual Session_01
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. Warning: graphic content.
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Spiritual Session_02
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. Warning: graphic content.
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Spiritual Session_03
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. Séance Poncho in Weslaco
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Spiritual Session_04
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. Séance with Poncho_Part1andPart2
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Spiritual Session_05; Health Services
Gloria Gonzales
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. Audio recording about health services for individuals with alcoholic problems. Gloria Gonzales.
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Spiritual Session_06
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. Cure—Middle.
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Spiritual Session_07
Recording of part of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. End of men's cure (blue jacket) Tails out.
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Spiritual Session_08
Recording of part of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit. End of men's cap then woman seated Heads out.
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Spiritual Session_09
Recording of a spiritual session in which a medium is possessed by a spirit, this recording was used for the film "Los Que Curan". Sound on takes- mixed directions.
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STEP Program Narration
Don Ignacio
Narration about programs offered to the elderly and low income population. Don Ignacio Voice Master 2 reel.
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Summary Narration
Narration about the work field of parteras, sobadores and curanderos. Curan E—F Mixed.
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Typical Work Day for a Partera
Audio recording of a work day for a partera. Dona Hernira_Reynosa_Partera_BabyBorn
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Videncia and Spiritual Experiences
Conversation about a spiritual experience foreseen through the gift of videncia. Part2_Interview with Dona Maria-Silver-Oraciones.
