The Witches' Market

The Witches' Market, also known as El Mercado de las Brujas and La Hechiceria, is a popular tourist attraction located in Cerro Cumbre, a mountain clearing in La Paz, Bolivia.[1] The market is run by local witch doctors known as yatiri, who sell potions, dried frogs, medicinal plants like retama, and armadillos used in Bolivian rituals.[2] The yatiri can be easily identified by their black hats and coca pouches containing amulets, talismans and powders that promise luck, beauty and fertility.[3] Most famous of all the items sold in The Witches' Market are the dried llama fetuses.[4] These llama fetuses are buried under the foundations of many Bolivian houses as a sacred offering to the goddess Pachamama.[5]

Witches' Market

References
  1. Istvan, Zoltan.Witches' Market in Bolivia Sees Brisk Sales in Spells, National Geographic, May 30, 2003
  2. Shahriari, Sara. Bolivia's Witch Markets Offar Llama Fetuses and More, Huffington Post, March 18, 2010
  3. Carroll, Thomas. Bolivia's Witches' Market, Travelmag, June 20, 2003
  4. Bolivia Travel. Witches' Market, La Paz, Uyuni Tours
  5. Anabel. Bolivia Travel Tale: Baby Llamas in The Witches' Market in La Paz, Peru For Less Travel Blog, February 3, 2012

16.5000°S 68.1490°W / -16.5000; -68.1490

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