The Witches’ Market | Bolivia’s Tourist Attraction That Sells Bizarre Herbs

Not by going with the name, The Witches’ Market is not run by the witches or it doesn’t involve any of the stores selling witches. Contrastingly, the witches market is the popular tourist attraction in La Paz, Bolivia. The market is spilled into the adjoining streets of the Bolivia. 

Located in the centre of the tourist market, The Witches’ Market of Bolivia sells folk remedies, herbs and bizarre ingredients like owl feathers, snakes, starfish, naked couple figurines, potions etc to influence the spirits that populate the Aymara world.

Source = Static9

The main product that you can notice in the market is ‘dried llama fetuses’ which are massive and moderately disturbing to the visitors. These fetuses are buried in the foundations of the new businesses as an offering to the goddess Pachamama. 

Many construction workers bury these fetuses on the site to ask goddess to keep them safe during the construction on the site. Only the fetuses from the miscarriages or stillbirth are sold in the market, baby fetuses are strictly prohibited to kill and sell. 

You can see the dried llama fetuses hanging from the door openings hollowing their eyes and nasty mouths create the disturbing image of the street.

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While wandering through the market, you can find yatiri or witch doctors, which can be easily identified by their black dark hats and coco pouches containing powders, talismans etc to ensure the beauty and luck to the locals.

Source = Lapazlife

It is said that yatiris have the power to contact the supernatural powers as they do in physical ones. While the majority of their customers are tourists, they seek out the witch doctors to cure their illness, solve money problems, luck and fertility issues.

i. The naked ceramic couples are sold to improve sex life and increase fertility.

ii. The sweet smelling herbs bring the good luck and love.

iii. Dried Armadillos are sold to prevent thefts, while frog parts bring good luck in home.

iv. The powdered dog’s tongue added to the man’s food makes him a loyal lover.

A great alternative for the tourists on the way are the pre-mixed spells and potions which comes up in a neat packet in brightly boxes.

All one have to do is to state the problem, pay the amount and be on their way. For those who are suffering from the severe disease, or looking out for the wealth, seeking out for a revenge on a cheating partner, Bolivia Witches’ Market is the place to go for spiritual advice and medicinal plants. The witches market in the Bolivia is the only place in the city where you can find ancient Aymaran beliefs.

The Witches Market is seriously an interesting site for the wanderlust. Although the name sounds haunting, wandering in the market watching those dangerous tools may give you Goosebumps. 

Warning:

Although, the market is the popular tourist attraction, but also remembers that the sight is a serious and sacred business to many who work there. Few vendors feel happy to answer the questions asked by the tourist, while many are there who don’t prefer picking up or selling their items without their permission. Otherwise, they may curse you! 

Did you visit Witches market in Bolivia? If not, would you plan?