Jordan G. Teicher captions the above image by Scott Dalton:
In Mexico, curanderos, or traditional healers, have long served an important role in peoples’ medical and spiritual lives. A select few have even become celebrities. In the early 20th century, El Niño Fidencio became one of the country’s most famous curanderos and was considered a miracle worker. Today he is regarded as a folk saint by thousands of his devotees, or fidencistas.
In the 1990s, photographer Scott Dalton heard about a pilgrimage of Fidencio followers in Espinazo, Mexico, from friends and decided to check it out. He returned to Espinazo again in 2006 and 2009 to document the festival for his series “Faith Healers.” … At the pilgrimage, Dalton said, thousands of followers gather to commemorate important dates in Fidencio’s life as well as participate in religious services and healings. Fidencistas believe that modern-day curanderos can channel the spirit of Fidencio and that under his influence they can use his powers to perform healings. Dalton said he witnessed these transformations, in which the eyes of curanderos would roll back and they’d assume a high-pitched voice. “Obviously, there is a strong following,” Dalton said. “I think in Mexico people have a very strong sense of faith and religion plays an important part in their lives, but like anywhere there are varying degrees of belief. These events attract followers from all over the region, so for many this pilgrimage is an important part of their faith.”
The Dish 