Witch doctor, magic, potion, welcome to the Bolivian witch market

The witch market is a street in the capital of Bolivia, La Paz. Sanmao once described her interesting experience of buying trinkets in the witch market in her book 'Traveling through Thousands of Waters and Mountains'. Out of curiosity, we went straight to the witch market when we arrived in La Paz. Fortunately, we were not disappointed. The witch market has now declined, and most shops are selling more tourist souvenirs. Only a few shops still hang animal carcasses at the door, displaying various witchcraft tools, amulets, mascots, herbs, etc., with all kinds of strange effects. It is said that burying the dried carcass of a naturally aborted alpaca in the foundation of a house can pray for good luck; while dried frogs can seek wealth. In the witch market, you will also encounter witch doctors. They are easy to recognize, with black hats on their heads and coca bags on their chests, which are typical images of witch doctors. We don't understand Spanish and didn't go to find a witch doctor, but we also saw the process of local people asking questions. Magic is far away from us, but for Bolivians, choosing witchcraft tools is as casual as buying vegetables. The buyer and seller do not need too much language, it seems that everyone understands witchcraft. The interesting thing about the witch market is that the locals bring the magic in the legend into reality. They are here to find a panacea, to seek wealth, to seek love, and to seek immortality. Address: Mercado de las Brujas, La Paz, Bolivia It is recommended to take a car to the witch market first, and then walk downhill to the Church of St. Francis to avoid climbing uphill in high-altitude areas, which is too tiring!