Erika Buenaflor, M.A., J.D., has a master’s degree in religious studies with a focus on Mesoamerican shamanism from the University of California at Riverside. A practicing curandera for over 20 years, descended from a long line of grandmother curanderas, she has studied with curanderas/os in Mexico, Peru, and Los Angeles and gives presentations on curanderismo in many settings, including at UCLA. She lives in Tujunga, California.
An Introduction to Limpias and Curanderismo
PART I
The Intersection of Experience and Research
1 Coming into Being
A Modern-Day Xicana Curandera
2 Historical and Cultural Background
The Mexica and Yucatec Maya
3 Pre- and Postcontact Texts
Sources Used and Why
PART II
Commonly Practiced Limpias from Ancient and Modern Perspectives
4 Platicas Ejecting
Unwanted Energies from the Body
5 Fire Limpias
Transformation and Renewal
6 Water Limpias
Cleansing and Rebirth
7 Sweeping
The Way to Purification and Revitalization
8 Sacred Spaces
Creating, Vivifying, and Renewing
Epilogue
Notes
Bibliography
Index
