Residents of Ajijic were dismayed to learn of the sudden passing last weekend of native son Jesús María Higuera Hernández, better known by the nickname Katuza.
Katuza was recognized as Ajijic’s home grown curandero (shaman), a master of temazcal (sweat bath) cleansings and other ancient indigenous healing rituals. His mystical spirit was elevated to a higher realm at age 71 following a brief but critical illness.
After a funeral Mass celebrated Monday, May 23, at the San Andrés parish, his body was laid to rest in the local cemetery among family and friends.
Katuza’s life on earth was that of a true free spirit, philosophically rooted in tribal customs of the Wixárika (Huichol people) settled in isolated rural territories of Jalisco and Nayarit. He established the Tepetates Reserva Natural, a rustic ceremonial center located in the hills above La Floresta, where he frequently led therapeutic temazcal sessions for visitors.
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