Mal de Ojo, MaximoÌn, and the social practice of healing Guatemala : an ethnographic encounter

This capstone identifies the social practice of healing in Guatemala among the indigenous and ladino populations. It is a qualitative study that examines belief systems as a method for illustrating syncretism and acculturation. The worship of an indigenous saint Maximon, the belief in mal de ojo (the evil eye), the treatment of physical and spritiual related illnesses using remedios caseros (homemade remedies) or curanderos (healers) are explored. Academic and personal ethnographic reflections are utilized for each section as an interpretative approach to understanding the critical aspect of beliefs in the survival of culture