Witchdoctor was initiated as an assistant to a veteran. Being a witchdoctor did not guarantee a stable income, and many led a common life with other occupations.
One of the main activities of witchdoctors was to cure illnesses. Sick person would go with the necessary implements for treatment: a bottle of aguardiente, cigarettes, matches, eggs, roses, and medicinal herbs. Witchdoctor, wearing a scarf on his forehead, would prepare an “altar” on which implements were placed and spread a mat covered with flower petals. During the ritual, sick person remained motionless while witchdoctor rubbed eggs over his body and blew alcohol and tobacco.
