Burying Baby Llamas Custom

For thousands of years, animal sacrifices have been a feature of Aymara culture. The tradition lives on today, as seen by the Witches Market in La Paz. The horrific sight of desiccated llama fetuses stacked into baskets, stuffed into boxes, or hanging on display is the main lure for many visitors to the Witches' Market.

Bolivians regard llama fetuses (or sullu in Aymara) to be lucky and will bury one beneath the foundations of a new building to bring protection. It can also be made by brujas (witchcrafters) using incense, sugar, and sweets, as well as wool dyed in a variety of colors, to make a mesa andina (Andean table). When burned, the preparation provides good fortune to a home, business, or other endeavors. In both cases, the llama fetus is used as an offering to Pachamama, or Mother Earth. Humans are rumored to be used instead for larger constructions such as apartment buildings or mines.