This document summarizes key similarities and differences between curanderas (healers) and brujas (witches) based on two works of literature. Both curanderas and brujas are typically socially outcast women who use herbs and connect with the spiritual world. While their practices are fundamentally the same, curanderas use magic to heal while brujas can curse others. The document explores two such women - Ultima, a curandera in Bless Me, Ultima, and Tituba, a bruja in I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem.

1. La Curandera o La Bruja
McAuley Ferrell
6 May 2019

2. Purpose and Audience
● The presentation explores the intrinsic similarities and differences in healing
and witchery
● It is intended for my classmates who have been comparing and contrasting
healing and witchery throughout the semester

3. Curandera and Bruja: two distinctions for essentially the
same practices
● Typically practiced by women who were socially outcasted or chose to be
outcasts themselves

4. Curandera and Bruja: two distinctions for essentially the
same practices
● Curanderas (healers) and Brujas (witches) both use herbs and rootwork for
their magic

5. Curandera and Bruja: two distinctions for essentially the
same practices
● Both share connections with the spiritual world and natural world around them

6. Curandera and Bruja: two distinctions for essentially the
same practices
● While the practices of Curanderas and Brujas are fundamentally the same,
the uses of these practices and their outcomes can be vastly different
● Some witches can use their magic to curse others and Curanderas will use
their magic to break the curses and heal the afflicted

7. Women of Witchery and Healing
● Both Tituba (I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem) and Ultima (Bless Me, Ultima) fill
the traditional roles of women witches and folk healers
● Ultima was the elderly woman who uses her rituals and magic to heal those
suffering
● Tituba was a self-appointed outcast living with Mama Yaya (elderly witch-
woman) and learning healing magic from her

8. Women of Witchery and Healing
● This article explores the tradition of women folk healers in many different
cultures throughout history
● The traditional role of women as healers has led many women, particularly
older or socially outcasted women, to become folk healers despite the risk of
being labeled “witch” and the consequences that accompany it

9. Women in Witchery and Healing
● These women healers and witches typically lived in exile, whether on their
own volition or others, which was the case for both Tituba and Ultima
● In I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem Mama Yaya, and later Tituba until she
moved with John Indian, lived in a secluded area of Salem where they
practiced healing magic
● In Bless Me, Ultima Ultima was a curandera who the town respected but kept
a a distance until they needed her- until she moved in with Antonio’s family

10. Herbs and Rootwork
● Curanderas use a variety of herbs and herbal rituals to bring about healing in
those suffering
● Brujas also use herbs to aid in their magic, whether it be for healing or cursing
someone

11. Herbs and Rootwork
● This article describes the origins of rootwork and how it has essentially
remained the same over time
● From the persistence and continuity of rootwork, it can be inferred that the
practices described are similar practices performed by Tituba herself.

12. Herbs and Rootwork
● This articles describes traditional curandera herbal healings and practices by
a man who worked as a curandera's assistant
● The herbal rituals and remedies done by curanderas, including Ultima in
Bless Me, Ultima, are ancient healing practices that are rooted in the natural
and spiritual worlds

13. Spiritual Connections in Healing and Witchery
● This website briefly describes the place of the curandera in the spiritual world
and how they interact with the spirits to bring about healing
● Curanderas’ connections to the spiritual world are vital to their healing magic
processes and practices
● The emphasis on connections with the spiritual world are present in witchcraft
as well, as is the case in Tituba’s story with her connection to Mama Yaya
and other spirits

14. Spiritual Connections in Healing and Witchery
● Connections to the spiritual world manifest in many different ways- often a
“familiar” spirit latches onto a witch and goes on to help and protect them
● This article explores the different connections witches have to the spiritual
world, including the tradition of the "familiar" spirit
● The idea of a “familiar” also occurs in Bless Me, Ultima in the form of Ultima’s
owl

15. Spiritual Connections in Healing and Witchery
● In I, Tituba Black Witch of Salem Tituba’s spiritual connections manifest in her
ability to communicate with the dead- particularly Mama Yaya and Abena
● Ultima in Bless Me, Ultima also came into contact with the spiritual world,
though hers focused more on evil spirits and defeating them (e.g. Ultima
fighting to break the curse on Antonio’s uncle)

16. La Curandera o La Bruja
● While Curanderas and Brujas, healers and witches, have similarities in who
practices them and the practices themselves, their intentions and outcomes
can be vastly different
● Thank you for your time!