Where to Find The Witches’ Markets in Peru?
Peru is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing destinations in the World. Many travelers interested in spirituality travel to the holy Incas sites to start a mystical and spiritual journey.
Peruvians are mostly Catholics, but the spirituality of Peru is strongly rooted in the native beliefs and practices. The indigenous groups own the extensive mythical knowledge from Incas times about the Earth, traditional medicine and rituals.
Mercado de las Brujas known as The Witches’ Market is one of the most unusual attractions of the country, which both locals and tourists admire, for different reasons.
From medicinal plants, coca leaves, herbal perfumes, red and black Amazonian seeds to cryptic elixirs, monkey skulls and dried snakes, Mercado de las Brujas is known for its shamanic exotic remedies and traditional folk medicine.
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Whether you are just curious or want to take in the local culture and believes, a walk through the witch market in Peru is something, you will never forget. Believe me!
Mercado de las Brujas is a perfect playground for shamans, herbalists and witch doctors, who come here every morning to display all their goods. Plenty of the products are components of ancient indigenous rituals that are still practiced in many areas of Peru.
It seems that the market can live up to all your expectations! Elixir to attract money, to bring love to your life, to make you a lucky person, to give you energy and health. How can you refuse it :)?
Moreover, there are potions to cure anything including pain, the symptoms of diseases or even broken heart. Do you need an extra boost of energy? or are you suffering from impotence or anemia? There is a popular jugo de rana, a frog juice, and that is exactly what it means in Spanish. This blended frog mixture is made from whole, previously killed frog, cooked for few moments and blended with an extra handful of Peruvian herbs. I wasn’t able to even look at it, but here is the story of Michael Turtle, who actually tried this juice. It is also recognized as Peruvian Viagra, a symbol of fertility that has been handed down in Peruvian families from generation to generation.
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Considered to be a man’s drink, Snake Bile Wine is also one of the main attractions for visitors willing to try something extraordinary. There is also a snake fat that reduces blood pressure, cures aches and helps your hair grow.
I will stop on these examples, I could go on but you must see it to really feel it.
Surprisingly, the markets are not well-known among locals and getting there can be challenging. However, keep an eye on sectors with traditional folk medicine and you should be fine.
Here is a list of 3 witch markets, which you can find in Peru.
1. Lima
The most recognizable Peruvian Mercado de las Brujas is located in Lima. You need to take a train to the Gammara metro and then you should head to the sector full of various plants, dries snakes and any others unusual remedies hang the stalls.
Gammara Market is a well-known garment district, so if you willing to do shopping and spend almost no money, this is a place to be.
2. Chiclayo
Probably most of you now, looking for this spot on a Peruvian map, wondering if this place even exist? Actually, I am not surprised! This is one of the off the beaten track destinations, I discovered on my way to the Ecuadorian border. You rarely can meet here tourists and I was a quite unique visitor in this town.
Compare to the Lima’s Mercado de las Brujas, the one in Chiclayo is much smaller, but still crowded. It is located inside the Mercado Modelo, just few minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas of Chiclayo.
3. Cusco
It is located just next to the San Pedro market and few minutes walk from the Plaza de Armas. Every morning vendors come from nearest hills and surroundings of the Peruvian Andes to sell their good.
Though walking through the market can be absorbing, don’t forget to stay aware and keep an eye on your belongings.