A latin american folk curer. Cuanderos believe that they have received a divine calling to their profession, and they may have direct contact with the spirit world. They usually apprentice for years under an older curandero. In mexico and central america, there are curandero generalists and specialists. Yerberos are knowledgeable about herbs. Parteras are midwifes. Sabadoros are specialists in massaging patients. Curanderos may also specialize in particular kinds of illness--e. G. , curandero de aire , etc. A female curandero is a curandera.