Doctor's Orders

Very few professions are surrounded by as much mystery and intrigue as the curanderos, or the traditional healers of Latin America. Esteemed members of their communities for centuries, the supernatural prowess combined with the medicinal knowledge of the curandero is said to cure a host of physical and spiritual ailments. At UNM's Smith Plaza, just north of the Student Union Building, the UNM Women's Resource Center sponsors a feria de salud (or Mexican traditional health fair) featuring a variety of specialized healers and free workshops from noon to 4 p.m. The fair is in conjunction with UNM's Curanderismo class, which holds an additional health fair at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 26. Donations are suggested. For more on the fair and the ancient practice, visit curanderismo.unm.edu. (Adam Fox)