According to the Oxford American Dictionary, animism
is
The attribution of a soul to plants,
inanimate objects and natural
phenomena
Ultima
is a curandera, the modern day equivalent of a medicine woman or shaman. While the
dominant religion of the region is Catholic, traditions and beliefs have survived from
the days of Native animist religions, and Ultima has preserved
them.
Her "power animal" so to speak, is the owl, and her
spirit is bonded to it. This is why Tenorio kills the owl towards the end in an attempt
to kill Ultima, after he discovers this secret.
Ultima's
healing rituals, using natural herbs and plants gathered and prepared in the traditional
ways, attempt to expel evil spirits and illnesses, as well as counter curses placed by
Tenorio's bruja (witch) daughters.
All
of these are examples of Ultima's animist beliefs and practices.
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