Step into the world of traditional Aymara medicines,where the smells of herbs fill the air, ritual treatments are performed andAndean crafts are sold.
Discover Aymara medicine and witchcraft at the livelyMercado de Hechicería, also known as the Mercado de las Brujas (Witches’ Market).Browse eclectic market stalls to find an array of herbal medicines, amulets, andhandmade crafts and clothing from the Andes Mountains.
The market attracts many visitors from across thecity. Explore the narrow, cobblestoned streets of the bazaar and findhandcrafts from the Aymara culture, which originated in the highlands of Chileand Bolivia. Browse remedial herbs, amulets and potions in baskets and bottles stackedhigh in the small stalls. Find traditional Andean souvenirs, including alpacawool blankets and knitted sweaters, jewellery and musical instruments. This is whereindigenous Bolivians come to get the materials they need to cast spells againstspirits. Amongst the items on sale are turtles, for their long life frogs, forthe luck they bring and toucan beaks for healing sickness and injuries.
One of the more unusual products on sale is themummified llama foetus. These are brought to the market from the “witches” wholive in the Andes Mountains. The foetuses are used as an offering to the AndeanGoddess Pachamama (Mother Earth) when new houses or businesses are constructed.The owners bury a foetus beneath the cornerstones of the building in theconviction that Pachamama will protect the workers.
Look out for the witch doctors, known as yatiris, whowalk through the market offering to tell people their fortunes. You canrecognise a yatiri by the hat they wear and the pouches that are filled withcoca leaves.
The Witches’ Market is in central La Paz on CalleJiminez and Calle Linares, off Calle Sagárnaga, the main street in the citycentre. It is an easy walk from the Museo de la Coca and the Church of SanFrancisco.
The market is open daily during daylight hours. Stallowners allow you to take photographs of their stalls if you ask for permissionand encourage you to buy something or donate some bolivianos. Many of thevendors do not speak English – if you speak Spanish, the vendors are happy toanswer questions about the herbs and medicines.
