Mayan Traditional Healers

Our Spanish teachers have been teaching us about the culture in Guatemala and knowing that I am also a Registered Nurse (R.N.) she thought it would be interesting for us to specifically learn about two common traditional health providers / healers - The Comodrona and The Huesero(a). It is incredible to hear about how these individuals are called (from God) to become healers and usually offer life-time service to the community as volunteers. Often these individuals, as with both of the healers we met today, have no formal training at all. At times, as with both of the heelers we met today, they receive all their training within a dream.

La Comodrona

A Comodrona is a women similar to a mid-wife. The Guatemala people have used Comodronas for centuries and still prefer using their services rather than hospitals or clinics. Women often come to these ladies when they are have gynecological problems or think they might be pregnant. These women are highly respected not only for the help they give, but for responding to a call from God to serve others. 

This special and gifted woman has been helping the ladies of her community for 28 years. Since she doesn't ask for money, although she is often given a donation of maybe Q 20 ($2.50) or maybe some vegetables for a visit, she also needs to work to provide a living for herself and the family. In order to do so she makes clothing to sell such as handmade blouses, womens belts, and various cloths. 

She disclosed that she is Catholic and practices her faith. I enjoyed talking to her about two of the priest that we both know, Father Benjamin and Father Victor. She also shared some of her deep spiritual beliefs relating to her mayan culture and especially how God works through dreams. 

I am amazed how she has helped so many women through the years without any formal training, only what she felt was infused into her (Knowledge and Skill) one night many years ago in a dream. She has helped countless women give birth, and with other gynecological problems using herbs, prayer, and healing touch, and when she detects problems that are too serious and beyond what she feels she can heal she refers them to the clinic for help and often saves lives. 

Our Teachers, Liz, and La Comodrona

El Huesero

A Huesero is a man or woman chosen by God to be a healer of bones. Usually there is an object associated with the healing and the object is often felt to have the power of God within it to help heal. These men and women usually have a dream and God reveals where the special object is and they then go to retrieve it. I am told they are often rocks that are not like any rock you have ever seem, incredibly beautiful and smooth. Once found it is not shown to others because it is very personal and "from God." This object that is thought to have special powers if covered with a cloth, towel, or something and then used to rub against the body of a patient to detect the location of bone problems / fractures, and also used to help set bones. 

This Huesero has been helping Guatemalans in his community and others for over thirty years. He is often called to other locations and there will be as many as twenty people from surrounding villages waiting for him to help heal their broken bones. Many Guatemalans would rather see a Huesero than a doctor for the treatment of a fractured bone. This man is also Catholic and his room was filled with pictures of saints and statues.

He presented as a very saintly man who was responding to a call from God. He too doesn't ask for money for his services feeling that it is a responsibility given to him from God. In order to make a living he works with his sons cutting and selling firewood.

Here is a brief video as he described what he does. He is speaking in a mayan language and we needed our teachers to translate his words into Spanish so we could understand them. I was deeply moved by his deep spirituality and how his life has been a life of service to his fellow man and woman. 

The Mayan culture is fascinating and I truly enjoy learning more and more about it each day.