Don: A Title of Respect and a Gift of Healing
A Term of Respect
Recognizing a Special Gift
In Peruvian curanderismo, the title of ‘Don’ signifies not only a healer’s social status but also their profound spiritual commitment and mastery. The term suggests that the healer has been graced with a sacred duty, often revealed through rigorous training, profound personal sacrifices, and spiritual awakenings. This gift, or don, is considered both a responsibility and a blessing, linking the healer to a lineage of ancestral knowledge and to the spirits of the plants and the earth.
It is through this divine connection that curanderos earn the ability to diagnose and treat illnesses, restore balance, and guide others on their healing journeys, embodying the harmonious union of human intention and the spiritual wisdom of the natural world. Furthermore, this title reflects the recognition of the healer’s role as a bridge between physical and metaphysical realms, a role cultivated through years of dedication. The relationship between the healer and their don is dynamic, often evolving through continuous learning and communion with nature. Ultimately, being called “Don” is not merely a title but an affirmation of trust and reverence, symbolizing the curandero’s integration of wisdom, humility, and service.
Roots of “Don” in Colonial History
The use of the term “Don” traces back to Spanish colonial influence in Latin America. Originally, “Don” was a noble title, reserved for people of high social standing, such as landowners, military leaders, and influential elders. The term derives from the Latin word “dominus,” meaning lord or master. Over time, this honorific extended beyond nobility, becoming a way to show respect for figures of wisdom, age, and authority within local communities.
However, in the spiritual world of curanderismo, “Don” took on a more profound meaning. It was no longer just a marker of social status; it became a title for those who had demonstrated exceptional spiritual mastery. While Spanish influence shaped the term’s usage, it was the indigenous concept of “spiritual gifts” that redefined its purpose.
“Don” as a Spiritual Gift
Beyond its role as a title of respect, the word “don” also means “gift” in Spanish. This is not a coincidence. In the context of curanderismo, a “don” refers to a special, often divinely granted ability. People might say someone has “el don de la palabra” (the gift of speech) or “el don de la sanación” (the gift of healing). For curanderos, this “don” signifies a spiritual gift that goes beyond learned knowledge—it’s an innate or spirit-bestowed capacity to heal, see visions, or connect with higher energies.
Many curanderos report receiving their “don” through dreams, visions, or spiritual initiations. It is often said that the spirits of plants, ancestors, or divine forces “call” certain individuals to become healers. This calling might arise after a significant life event, like a serious illness, in which the future curandero undergoes a profound transformation. The person is then tasked with honing this gift through rigorous training and isolation diets with powerful plants. The plants themselves are seen as “teachers” who bestow specific gifts, like the ability to sing icaros (sacred songs) or to “see” energetic imbalances in patients.
These teachings are not simply mental lessons, they are spiritual transmissions. When a curandero successfully integrates the lessons from the plant spirits, they are said to have “received a don.” From this moment on, they are recognized as a healer, a conduit for higher forces. It is at this point that the title of “Don” is bestowed upon them, signifying not just their role as a respected elder but as someone who carries a sacred gift for healing.
How the Gift is Bestowed
Unlike academic degrees or social titles, a “don” cannot be self-proclaimed. It must be recognized by the community or revealed through the guidance of spiritual forces. The most common path to receiving a “don” is through the practice of “dieta”, a process where curanderos-in-training undergo extended isolation in nature, consume only specific medicinal plants, and maintain a strict diet. During this time, they form an intimate relationship with the plants, who are believed to teach, heal, and gift the curandero with special powers. These powers vary depending on the plant. For instance:
Chiric Sanango might offer the don of courage and emotional fortitude.
Marosa could grant the don of clarity and precision, allowing the healer to see energetic blockages.
Chullachaqui might bestow physical strength, protection, or resilience.
Once the curandero has mastered these lessons, the spirits may “gift” them with the ability to channel specific powers, such as the ability to sing certain icaros that bring about healing. Each of these capacities is seen as a distinct “don” unique to the healer, much like how an artist might have a gift for painting or a musician might have a gift for composing.
Faith and the Power of the Don
Another important element of the “don” as a gift is its relationship to faith. In Shipibo tradition, faith is not just an abstract belief, it’s a powerful force that shapes reality. A curandero’s “don” is only as strong as their faith in the spirit world and the patient’s belief in their power. The curandero’s role, therefore, is to instill this faith in the patient as part of the healing process. The more faith the patient has, the more effective the healing becomes. It’s a feedback loop: the curandero’s faith strengthens their “don,” and the patient’s faith amplifies the curandero’s power to heal.
This concept aligns with Shipibo healing practices, where curanderos are often seen touching the chest and head of patients after a plant bath to help “seal” the healing energies into the body. The power they channel through their hands is understood as an extension of their “don”, a force that can be directed and embedded into the patient’s spirit.
The Don as a Living Gift
The title “Don” is more than a label, it is a living acknowledgment of a person’s spiritual authority and unique gift for healing. Rooted in the colonial past but transformed by indigenous wisdom, it symbolizes the sacred gifts granted by the spiritual world. Whether viewed as an honorific title, a symbol of divine power, or a marker of mastery, the “don” remains a vital concept in Peruvian curanderismo. It reminds us that true healing requires more than technique, it requires a gift of spirit. And for those who receive it, this gift becomes their calling, their purpose, and their legacy.