 MUJER ZAPOTECA DE LAS NUBES
Doña Enriqueta is a world renowned Zapotec midwife, herbalist, and healer. Her practice embodies the elders' maxim to live with clarity within Zapotec spiritual and cultural beliefs and traditions. Neither the ravages of 500+ years of colonialism, nor the grinding poverty it brought to indigenous communities, have undone the spiritual world of the Zapotec, or the communal political and economic base within which traditional knowledge of medicine and herbalism is passed on from generation to generation.
Doña Enriqueta tells us. . . "Our grandparents used to say that we were the 'people of the clouds,' because behind the clouds, there is clarity of life." The basis of that clarity is the proper conduct of our elders who fought to bequeath to us the extremely important value of respect, for ourselves, each other, for the family, for the children, for nature, for all living things.
Doña Enriqueta first learned her midwifery skills from la abuela Marcelina. She initiated her legendary midwifery skills as a 17 year old girl in an act of compassion for her sister who faced giving birth alone. She continued to receive training in rural health services from the Red Cross and went on to provide midwife, traditional and other health services in rural villages and indigenous communities throughout her native state of Oaxaca under the auspices of the Department of Health. She then joined the staff in the Instituto Indigenista Nacional (IIN) where she worked with other indigenous healers, midwives, herbalists, masseurs, bonesetters, snake and corn shamans, and other adivinos.
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THURSDAY, September 2 at 7pm
"Una noche especial para nuestras mujeres de San Antonio con Doña Enriqueta Contreras, partera/curandera Zapoteca"
En este encuentro le damos la bienvenida a Doña Enriqueta a San Antonio. Ella comparte con nosotros su bondadosa sabiduría sobre la gran importancia de ser mujer y aún más importante los valores que acompañan a nuestro género especialmente en estos tiempos difíciles que enfrentamos. Doña Enriqueta siempre dice que las mujeres son como un jardín de flores, y ella nos dirá el por qué y como valorarnos desde el punto de vista físico, emocional y espiritual que colectivamente contribuyen a nuestra salud.
"A Special Evening for the Women of San Antonio"
At this first meeting, we will welcome Doña Enriqueta to San Antonio. She will share her wisdom and insight about women’s lives and values, which are especially important in the difficult times that we face. Doña Enriqueta reminds us that women are like a garden of flowers and she explains why. She tells us how to value our physical, emotional and spiritual aspects, which collectively contribute to our health. |
FRIDAY, September 3 at 7pm
"Remedios caseros y la importancia de tener “una canasta básica” en nuestros hogares"
Esta noche, Doña Enriqueta da énfasis a la importancia de tener “una canasta básica” de remedios a la mano en nuestros hogares. Nos dirá cuales son los ingredientes importantes para esta canasta, y además discutirá otros remedios especialmente para la diabétes y otras enfermedades epidémicas que encontramos hoy día en nuestra sociedad.
"Home Remedies and the Importance of a “Basic Herbal Home Kit"
This evening, Doña Enriqueta emphasizes the importance of having a “basic herbal kit” on hand in our homes. She will tell us which ingredients are necessary for this kit and will discuss other remedies, especially for diabetes and other epidemic diseases that we find in modern society. |
SATURDAY, September 4 at Noon
"Cuidados prenatales, parto, puerperio y la etapa de la menopausia"
Esta plática se dedica exclusivamente a una discusión de cuidados prenatales, parto, puerperio (después del parto) y la etapa de la menopausia. Hoy en día se han olvidado las costumbres y las tradiciones que llevaba una mujer en preparación para dar luz con éxito sin intervención quirúrgica, especialmente en el caso de la cesárea. Doña Enriqueta, como partera por más de sesenta años, nos recuerda cuales fueron y son las técnicas más exitosas para dar luz a un bebé saludable. También nos ilumina el por qué hay tanta infertilidad y por qué acuden las mujeres a tratamientos de fertilidad que las ponen en gran riesgo. Finalmente, toca el tema de la etapa de menopausia, y cuales cuidados podemos llevar.
"Prenatal Care, Birth, Postnatal Care and Menopause"
This workshop is dedicated exclusively to a discussion of prenatal care, birth, afterbirth care and menopause. Today, we have forgotten the traditions that women followed in preparation for giving birth successfully without surgical intervention. Doña Enriqueta, a midwife with more than sixty years experience, reminds us of what were and are successful techniques for a healthy pregnancy. She discusses the current prevalence of infertility and the risks of fertility treatment. Finally, she touches on the topic of menopause and how we can care for ourselves at this stage of life.
SATURDAY, September 4 at 7pm
"Los cuatro principios Zapotecos: Una invitación para nuestra comunidad"
Esta noche concluye la visita de Doña Enriqueta en San Antonio y para concluir a ella le gustaría compartir con nosotros los cuatro principios Zapotecos que forman la base de la vida de los Zapotecos de los Pueblos Mancomunados en Oaxaca. Su gente acude y han acudido a estos principios importantes por miles de años. Serán una gran ayuda para que nosotros entendemos como cambiar la situación mundial y tomar otro punto de vista que se basa sobre el valor importante de “El Respeto”. Toda nuestra comunidad está cordialmente invitada a compartir estos momentos con una gran curandera de raices Zapotecas.
"The Four Zapotec Principles: An Invitation to Our Community"
This evening concludes Doña Enriqueta’s visit to San Antonio. On her departure, she would like to share with us the Four Zapotec Principles that form the basis of Zapotec life among their United Communities in Oaxaca. Her people have followed these important principles for thousands of years up to the present. They will be a great help for us to understand how we can change our world situation, and adopt another point of view that is based on the important value of “Respect.” All of our community is cordially invited to share these moments with a great healer of Zapotec origin.
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