Scorned by a lover? Suffering from an oppressive boss? Or do you simply wish for good luck, fame and fortune?
Then step right up to the Witches’ Market in La Paz, Bolivia. Located in Calle Linares the street is lined with stores providing bizarre wares. It is also where witches, medicine women, folk doctors, astrologers, fortune tellers, sorcerers live and work.
AND for a boliviano or two you can take some purty pictures…just be careful not to show it to the feint of heart or to sweet little children.
The Witches’ Market Decoder
- Llama fetus (dried): To protect the house. An estimated 99% of Bolivian families have a dried llama fetus thrown under the foundations of their house for luck.
- Llama fetus (burnt on a plate of sweets and herbs): To ensure luck for a new business venture.
- Dried frogs: For money. If you stick a cigarette in your frog’s mouth, your chances of striking it rich will increase.
- Bolivian armadillos: Kind of like a Chubb alarm. Stick one above the entrance to your house, and it will prevent thieves from entering
- Amulette d’amor (ceramic couple embracing): To get yourself hitched.
What’s the most bizarre thing you’ve seen?
Hi I'm Grace and I'm always on the move. Right now I am in San Diego, CA. POTM is a blog about my life in America and other adventures abroad. My mission is to show the world a unique and sometimes funny perspective on how a Filipina (Pinay) approaches the travel and expat lifestyle.
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I hate to break this to you but some do use it to cast naughty spells. I think for the right amount it becomes a curse.
It also reminded me of Baguio with the dried frogs. The llama was definitely creepy with the dry feathered skin and hollowed eyes. *shudder*.
It is a great spot for photos although you have to ask to take a photo first just to be on the safe side. I actually was curious if Turkey has something similar?
OMG! I totally saw this exact stand at the market! Crazy! I love the Witches Market in La Paz. Bolivia shopping is awesome!
You can certainly get a lot at a low price. When were you at the Witches Market? Maybe we were around Bolivia at the same time!
What a unique area. Those dried little llama fetuses are so sad looking – do you know if they breed llamas for this?
I asked the same question and sadly some do. Or at least when they know that the llama is pregnant they perform an abortion =( I was sad to hear it but to them it is part of a custom and they do believe that it protects their homes.
Very interesting, albeit bizarre stuff. I saw a dried old snakeskin in a town hall where there had been a wedding reception the night before. Someone said that it represented fertility for the newlyweds. I just thought it was pretty weird to be found in such a place.
Where was that displayed? That is pretty out of place in a town hall.
That some crazy stuff! Interesting market to visit.
Yep it is!
I never would have thought you were interested in vodoo and black magic arts Inka!
Poor llamas right? They have become multipurpose animals.
Hmmm, I would like to have one of those Bolivian armadillos and prolly join the witches and fortune tellers one afternoon for some heart to heart conversation, (interpreter pls)
lakwatsera de primera recently posted..Ligao City- On Homecoming Celebration and a Farewell
lakwatsera de primera recently posted..Ligao City- On Homecoming Celebration and a Farewell
That is a good plan. Looking back I should have asked to interview one even in broken Spanish.
You can do it! I want more Filipinos to travel to South America.
I found it really weird that at the Pompeii ruins in Italy they sell tons of little statues and figurines of penises. It was extra funny too because I was 16 when I was there and all the girls were giggling about buying one. I was too shy to take pictures.
That is very weird and akward at 16 and with others looking.