Borderlands Curanderos

Jennifer Semans Borderlands Curanderos creates an incredible historical summary of life and the emulation conflicts surrounding two bordering countries. Semans approach to her book definitely fits the description of microhistory which I believe overall creates a better understanding of the curanderos and the history that comes with them. Seman goes into detail about Teresita’s relationship with the Yaqui tribes and other indigenous groups rebelling against the tyrant Diaz regime forcefully taking land from them for state expansion. During this time we are provided with insights on how Teresita gave spiritual blessings and confidence to groups of indigenous people who looked to overthrow the Mexican government as well as bettering themselves from the marginlized communities. Teresita was fully involved in political activism using alternate methods of spiritual healings to upset the balance of medical, religious, and political norms. Don Pedrito was placed within the Rio Grande valley after forcefully being removed him lands in Mexico where race diminished the integrity of the communities, colonialism, as well as the severe drought. Pedrito established a ranch near the Texas/Mexico border providing healing to pilgrims and colonists who were facing violence from Anglos. Through all of Semens extensive archival information the larger issue of the borderlands during the late nineteenth century was the rise of social and cultural groups build to political power to fight against marginalized communities and government even in a position of no power.