Photos

My last post was scary but it is even more. It is a stall at the witch's market in La Paz.
I risked quite much making the photo because vendors could throw a stone at me or even - a curse. So the photo is from distance, and lacks of sharpness. Here you can see the local medecins and objects for the witch. Quite famous is Cat's claw (una de gato) or Vilcacora. It is good for every illness. But the most interesting object in the middle are dried lama foetuses. They are not eaten - when you build a new house putting it in the foundations brings luck. I cannot tell how they have so many foetuses. Bolivia and Peru are strong catholic countries but they have they Indian gods as well - when they drink chicha (something like beer) the first sips are for Pachamama - mother earth.

Amulets:
Llama fetus (dried): To protect the house. 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!!!)
Llama fetus (burnt on a plate of sweets and herbs): To ensure luck for a new business venture.
Dried frogs: For money. If you stick a cigarette in your frog's mouth, your chances of striking it rich will increase.
Bolivian armadillos: Kind of like a Chubb alarm. Stick one above the entrance to your house, and it will prevent thieves from entering
Amulette d'amor (ceramic couple embracing): To get yourself hitched.
Naked ceramic couples: To improve the sex life, rectify impotency, and increase fertility


W dalszym ciągu straszę. Zdjęcie z targu czarownic w La Paz. Robienie zdjęć jest ryzykowne, bo mogą rzucić klątwę. W środku są suszone płody lam. Brak ostrości, ale to stare zdjęcie skanowane i zrobione z daleka (bo się bałam).

Amulety mozna kupic, ja kupiłam na szczęscie zawiniete w wełenke (Pachamamę i kochanków), i działaja juz 10 lat.

Scan from the old photo.