Witches' Market, La Paz
Inspecting the unusual wares at the Witches' Market. © Valeria Lemaître.
Saleswoman at a stall in the Witches' Market. Photo
Andrew Jones.
Llama fetuses. Photo © Nick Leonard.
Another stall full of offerings. Photo
Sergio Serrano.
The Witches' Market (Mercado de Hechiceria or Mercado de las Brujas) is one of the more unique sights in La Paz.
Located on Calle Jiminez and Linares between Sagarnaga and Santa Cruz, vendors of the Witches' Market sell llama fetuses and dried frogs for Aymara rituals, as well as soapstone figurines and aphrodisiac formulas.
What to See
Located amidst the lively tourist market, the Witches' Market sells mainly herbs and folk remedies, but also a variety of ingredients intended to manipulate and supplicate the various helpful and harmful spirits that populate the Aymara world.
The most prominent product available in the Witches' Market are dried llama fetuses, which are quite sizable and can be moderately disturbing to the foreign visitor. These are always buried in the foundations of new constructions or businesses as a cha'lla (offering) to Pachamama.
The llama sacrifice encourages the goddess to protect the workers from accidents and bring good luck to the business. The fetuses are only used by the poor; wealthier Bolivians are expected to sacrifice a live llama to Pachamama.
Other common products are colorful herbs, seeds and various parts of frogs and insects for Aymara rituals that help with a variety of problems from illness to bothersome sprits. Commonly circulating through the area are yatiri (witch doctors), who wear dark hats and cary coca pouches, and offer fortune-telling services.
This street is also the best place to pick up a charango or other Bolivian musical instrument or tourist trinket.
Location Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of the Witches' Market. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Bolivia Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Sources
- Lonely Planet Bolivia, 50-51.
