Abstract

LAZA VASQUEZ, Celmira. With the power of God and the peasant knowledge: healing the snake's bite at Valle del Río Cimitarra. Index Enferm [online]. 2011, vol.20, n.1-2, pp.116-119. ISSN 1699-5988.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1132-12962011000100024.

The Cimitarra River Valley is a rural area forest landscape and forest, where the ophidic accident is common.There is a limited access to antivenom serum, due to its distance from the municipal area, the deplorable conditions of roads, lack of health care facilities and the lack of safety and public nuisance resulting from the development of social conflict and armed. Because of this, people bitten by snakes are attended mostly by traditional health agents. Manuel Sabana is a healer of the region experienced in treating people who are bitten by venomous snakes. This article narrates through biographical narrative the way he cures. He explains that he feels as an "instrument of God," which combined with the power of the word using the 'secret' and the peasant knowledge, he removes the "benumb" caused by the poison.

Keywords : Healer; Ophidic accident; Secret; Benumb; Folk medicine.