Every year when Halloween approaches, it seems scary stories start being told around the same time. Tales of witches and unusual events occurring. For many other countries though, witches are not used as stories to scare children. They are doctors and a crucial part of society. In El Caliche, El Salvador, this is the case.
Witch doctors are defined as, "a magician credited with powers of healing, divination, and protection against the magic of others." In the United States, this is practiced, but not as commonly as in Latin American countries. In El Caliche, when young children are sick they are brought to a hospital, similar to the ones in the United States. If the doctor cannot diagnose the problem, alternative options are sought out.
Depending on the symptoms, a typical visit to a witch doctor in El Salvador is done at the doctor’s house. A family arrives worried, sick and looking for answers. The doctor starts by reading your aura and asking questions about your symptoms. Next, you are asked to strip down to just your underwear. The doctor will take an un-cracked raw egg and rub it all over your body. Then, the egg is cracked into a glass of water. Judging by the way the yolk appears in water and any bubbles surrounding it, the diagnosis is discovered. Following this, the doctor may perform an herbal cleanse if needed. This is done by dipping the herbs in holy water and rubbing it all over your body.
Not only can they cure supernatural issues such as curses, omens and evil spirits, but they offer natural homeopathic remedies. For example, if you have an empacho, a known stomach sickness in Latin America, you may be told by a witch doctor to take a branch from a tree, burn it into coal, grind it and then mix it with lemongrass tea. Drinking this twice a day will cure the stomach problem.
Some very well credited witch doctors are known to fix problems just by looking at a photo of the ill person. Families bring photos of loved ones, seeking answers.
Witch doctors are not scary like the stories told in the United States. In El Caliche, these doctors are ‘normal’ people. They do not wear pointed hats or have abnormal features. Some may even have more traditional jobs on the side. They are accredited doctors that contribute to the overall well-being of their community.
