Curanderismo and Healing Rituals: An Ethnographic and Historical Study of The Casma Valley in Northern Peru

Authors

Maria Esmeralda Perez, University of Texas-Pan American

Date of Award

12-2009

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS)

First Advisor

Dr. Margaret Graham

Second Advisor

Dr. Thomas Pozorski

Third Advisor

Dr. Penelope Adair

Abstract

While curanderismo and shamanism form an important cultural aspect throughout Peru, the healing rituals in the Casma Valley are mostly unknown. This paper attempts to define the historical background of curanderismo in the Casma Valley by describing the traditional healing rituals throughout the Atlantic World. Recounting, not only the history of curanderismo, religion, witchcraft, and sorcery in Latin America, but also the history of these beliefs in Europe and Africa as well. One of the main goals of this paper is to provide sufficient proof of the ties and connections that curanderismo in the Casma Valley in Northern Peru share, not only with pre-Columbian cosmologies but with other worldwide beliefs and cosmologies.

Comments

Copyright 2009 Maria Esmeralda Perez. All Rights Reserved.

https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/curanderismo-healing-rituals-ethnographic/docview/305180331/se-2?accountid=7119

Granting Institution

University of Texas-Pan American