Looking for one of the strangest markets in the world? Look no further! In this post, we’ll go over 10 of the most unique things you’ll find at The Witches Market in La Paz.
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I think you’ll agree with me when I say that souvenir shopping in a new country can be a fun way to find unique and cool things to bring back home. But what do you do when you stumble upon a witches’ market selling odd potions and dried llama fetuses?
While this might be shocking and weird for some people, you can’t deny that it’s a pretty interesting place to explore! Besides the odd things listed above, there are plenty of other beautiful and unique souvenirs for sale here.
Whether you’re curious about what you’ll find walking through The Witches Market or you want to bring home a great souvenir to remember Bolivia by, I’ve got you covered. Here are 10 of the coolest and most surprising finds from La Paz’s weirdest market.
About The Witches Market
While The Witches Market or El Mercado de Las Brujas has become a popular place for gawking tourists to admire such oddities, these indigenous traditions are actually quite a firm and serious belief by some locals. Keep this in mind and try to be respectful while observing the area.
Andean witch doctors, known as yatiris run most of the stalls. As well as Kallawayas, traditional Andean healers who favor natural remedies. While most of these traditions are known as white magic and are generally harmless, some darker magic might also be practiced occasionally.
10 Things to Buy at The Witches Market in La Paz, Bolivia
1 Dried Animals (Llama Fetuses, Frogs, Snakes, etc.)
As soon as you turn into the narrow street filled with a ton of odd witchy stuff, the first thing you will likely notice is the dried-up dead animals. Each animal has a different significance but they are all used as sacrifices to bring about some sort of luck, love, or money.
Dried llama fetuses are probably the most popular items hanging from stalls in The Witches Market. For my animal-loving friends, don’t worry, they only sell llama fetuses that have died of natural causes – either stillborn or miscarriages.
Llamas are sacred animals that are sacrificed to Pachamama, an Inca Mother Earth deity, by being buried under the foundations of houses in Bolivia. They are meant to bring prosperity, safety, and good luck to the dwellers and workers during the construction process.
2 Traditional Plant/Herbal Medicines
The market also offers a wide range of traditional herbal remedies, useful for treating various physical and spiritual ailments. You can find plant medicines like ayahuasca here, along with less potent options like coca leaves, traditional teas, and oils.
Coca leaves and tea is common in Bolivia to fight the effects of altitude sickness but also to promote energy. Many Bolivian workers chew on the coca leaves. Think of it like a strong cup of coffee needed to wake you up.
3 Prepackaged Potions
In The Witches Market, and across much of South America, you can also stumble upon prepackaged potions, adding to the unique and intriguing assortment of items available. They come bottled and labeled in a box outlining their desired effect.
Do you want your business to be successful? Do you want to fall in love? Are you lacking money and wealth? Well, you can find a potion here for all of these needs and more. Just look at the clear labels and indications to find the right one.
4 Stone Talismans
Manmade stone talismans and amulets are a common sight to see in these stalls. You can find talismans with popular and traditional Inca animals such as the condor, snake, and puma. These potions are believed to possess special powers, bestowing things such as wisdom, power, and travel.
These amulets come in all shapes and sizes. As well as with all different designs. Some are even statues of ancient Inca deities or resemble the different indigenous cultures.
5 Coca Leaf Keychains
One of my favorite souvenirs to bring home for my friends and family is a coca leaf keychain. It’s a laminated single coca leaf with aguayo stitching on the other side.
Because it’s a popular and obvious tourist souvenir, it’s okay to fly with these otherwise illegal leaves without getting in trouble for doing so. It makes for a fun and unique gift to remember Bolivia by.
6 Andean Textiles (Aguayo)
As soon as you arrive at the market, you will be amazed at all the vast colorful items for sale. This traditional vibrant cloth is known as aguayo. This cloth is commonly used in Andean cultures to carry babies, food, or various other items on one’s back.
The cloth is typically handwoven from alpaca or llama wool and then dyed in beautiful colors. If you are spending some time in Bolivia, you are likely to see cholitas carrying their babies with them.
Nowadays because of the popularity of the textile, you can find almost anything you want in this similar vibrant pattern/fabric. It’s become quite synonymous with South American culture. Some of these items for sale are backpacks, fanny packs (crossbody bags), guitar cases, hats, hammocks, and much much more.
7 Charango (Armadillo Stringed Instrument)
A charango is a small Andean-stringed instrument resembling a ukelele. However, it was traditionally made from the shell of the back of an armadillo. Nowadays, these modern instruments are made from wood to preserve these vulnerable species.
If you’re lucky and have a pretty penny to spend on one of these, you may be able to find a traditional armadillo charango at The Witches Market.
8 Naked Couple Figurines
One thing that The Witches Market is not lacking is lucky charms. Figurines of all shapes and sizes of all sorts of different things meant to bring the possessor good luck. Each is meant to represent and rectify an area in one’s life that may need improving.
A common figurine is of a naked couple or a couple under the covers in bed. Owning one of these is believed to enhance one’s sex life and boost fertility. Another is of a couple embracing meant to bring marriage into your life.
While these figurines may be lucky charms, it’s still a bit of an odd thing to see!
9 Challa Offerings
In the countryside, a challa is a ceremonial offering to honor Pachamama – that Inca Mother Earth deity we mentioned earlier. Traditionally, this ritual is performed by spreading flowers on the ground and burying an assortment of offerings, including fruits, grains, candies, spices, alcohol, and more, as a means to nourish and honor Pachamama.
Some of these offerings are then burned while people drink and dance in celebration. In the city, they celebrate a bit differently. Usually, people decorate their homes and cars with colorful streamers and then sprinkle them with flower petals and alcohol.
At The Witches Market, you can find pre-made baskets, altars, and offerings with all of these items already prepared for a spiritual challa ceremony.
10 Alpaca Sweaters
In Bolivia, you can find alpaca sweaters, which are a rare and high-quality item. They are super soft and warm for those chilly Andean nights. Alpaca wool is usually rather expensive because it’s costly to create and harder to get – even in the land of alpacas.
You can find plenty of styles and colors here at The Witches Market just be prepared to bargain for a good deal. Besides traditional sweaters, ponchos are also a popular style.
While most of the items on this list are not ones that you would likely take home as souvenirs, they still make for an interesting reason to stroll around this unique market in La Paz. I hope you learned something new, interesting, and probably weird from this post!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Famous Market in Bolivia?
El Mercado de Las Brujas, known as The Witches Market, is one of the most renowned markets in La Paz, Bolivia. This unique market may surprise you with some of the strange things offered for sale.
What Can You Buy at the Witches Market?
You can buy all sorts of interesting but unusual things at El Mercado de Las Brujas known as The Witches Market. Some of these peculiar items include dried llama fetuses, prepackaged potions, armadillo ukeleles, Inca talismans, and much much more.
What Are the Opening Times of the Witches Market in Bolivia?
While there are no official hours, most vendors arrive and are open for business between 9 and 10 a.m. They generally close their stalls around 5 in the afternoon. While a few stalls may still be open after 5 p.m., it will be a lot less than during the day.
For more Bolivia information, you may also like:
- La Paz’s Hidden Gem: The Colorful Neighborhood of Chualluma
- 10 Traditional & Great Vegetarian Bolivian Foods You Need To Try!
- Hostal Las Olas: Unique & Beautiful Hotel In Copacabana, Bolivia
