At the Bolivian market, a photo from La Paz, North

Photographer's Note

Another (and last) picture from my memorable trip to South America in 1999. This time from La Paz in Bolivia.
La Paz officially known as Nuestra Se駉ra de La Paz is the seat of government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. The city, located in west-central Bolivia 68 km (42 mi) southeast of Lake Titicaca, is set in a canyon created by the Choqueyapu River. It is located in a bowl-like depression surrounded by the high mountains of the Altiplano. Overlooking the city is the towering, triple-peaked Illimani. Its peaks are always snow-covered and can be seen from many parts of the city. At an elevation of roughly 3,650 m above sea level, La Paz is the highest capital city in the world. Due to its altitude, La Paz has an unusual subtropical highland climate, with rainy summers and dry winters.
The Witches' Market, also known as El Mercado de las Brujas and La Hechiceria. Merchandise sold in The Witches' Market, run by local witch doctors known as yatiri, includes potions, dried frogs, medicinal plants like retama and armadillos used in Bolivian rituals. The yatiri can be easily identified by their black hats and coca pouches containing amulets, talismans and powders that ensure luck, beauty and fertility. Most famous of all the items sold in The Witches' Market are the dried llama fetuses. These llama fetuses are buried under the foundations of many Bolivian houses as a sacred offering to the goddess Pachamama.
An estimated 99% of Bolivian families have a dried llama fetus thrown under the foundations of their house for luck. (Do not buy, taking away is by law prohibited!!!)

You can see the llama fetuses here. It is known that llama fetuses are obtained from miscarriages, though in many places they obtain them by killing female llamas. it is forbidden to take pictures of the vendors in this market. It is also dangerous as they can curse.

ikeharel, papagolf21, pierrefonds, jhm, ktanska, PaulVDV, COSTANTINO has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

papagolf21 (152607) 2020-08-07 1:54

Bonjour, ch鑢e Malgo,
C'est le march� aux sorci鑢es, l'on y trouve tout pour gu閞ir ou jeter des sorts, des rem鑔es maison, des herbes, des porte-bonheur, et m阭e des f渢us de lama s閏h閟. De quoi faire des cauchemars.
Je ne pense pas acheter des souvenirs de la sorte.
En tout cas, une note 閐ifiante.
Amiti閟.
Philippe

holmertz (102672) 2020-08-07 2:04

Hello Malgo,
Lhasa, capital of Chinese occupied Tibet, is at the same altitude as La Paz. ;-)
Strange things could be found in Lhasa but I can't remember anything as unappetizing as this. It's an interesting photo but it doesn't look like a place where I would have liked to hang around for too long.
Kind regards,
Gert

lousat (139236) 2020-08-07 2:37

Ciao Malgo,terrific post from this withces market,the fetuses of lama aren't a good thing to see and sometimes they comes from killed mothers....terrible! The post is very interesting,one of the most strange things never seen on TE. Have a nice weekend and thanks,Luciano

pierrefonds (114422) 2020-08-07 4:41

Hi Malgo,

The witches market is offering different items related to their practice. It is clear and precise. The light has a good effect on the colours. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jhm (211736) 2020-08-07 6:20

Hello Malgo,

I see a specially market with different figures.
An excellent detailed view.
Very well done, TFS.

Best regards,
John.

ktanska (44758) 2020-08-07 8:59

Hi Malgo,
That is the strangest market I have seen. All the weird objects and remains of animals catch attention. Not beautiful, but certainly worth documenting. Flash worked well where there wasn't enough light for the film camera.
Kari

Iwon (7029) 2020-08-07 10:53

Małgosiu, dzięki za ciekawostki o zwyczajach Boliwijczyk體...co kraj to obyczaj, ale ten kram mnie przeraża.
Pozdrawiam
Iwona

Silvio1953 (221563) 2020-08-07 11:40

Ciao cara Malgo, lovely composition with a lot of objects, fine details, excellent clarity, wonderful colors and splendid light, very well done, my friend, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

dta (98848) 2020-08-07 11:57

Hello Malgo ,
Original and interesting capture , no doubt . All those dead animals are a little intriguing , but the whole view is full of colors and details.
Regards

PaulVDV (62886) 2020-08-07 12:40

Hello Malgo,
I've heard of the dried llama fetuses on the Bolivian market but I've never seen it. Unfortunately, I've never been to Bolivia and it is currently also a country where the population is suffering a lot from the corona virus.
A colorful mishmash in this photo.
What do we see on the left in the foreground? It looks like a snake.
So which souvenir did you bring to Poland?
Best regards, Paul

ifege (48055) 2020-08-07 21:49

Hi Malgo
At first I thought that it was tourist junk - but no - medical and superstition junk (even if believed in). Well spotted and taken.
cheers
Ian

Miguel82 (47110) 2020-08-08 2:36

Hello, it is a rewarding photo that presents esoteric items exhibited at a market in La Paz. They are all original and draw attention. The visitor can learn more about the local traditions while visiting this place. Fine colors, good sharpness, regards.

jmdias (115128) 2020-08-08 12:18

malgo

I guess 99 percent of the houses aren't so lucky. haha.
bolivia highlands are one of the places most impressed me in the world. nice view of the products sold in the market, I remember my brazilian friend there asking something in portuguese (she was talking in portuguese with me, in english with her boyfriend and in spanish with the locals but sometimes she mixed the language for while.)

take care

jorge

COSTANTINO (116452) 2020-08-08 22:48

Hello dear friend and have a nice Sunday
wow!!!how many good in this
shiop down there!!!!!
strange things could be found there!!!!!!!!
strange shop with different merchandises...
welldone from you the right timing
regards
Costantino