The figure of Santa Barbara, in the Andean culture, is invariably linked to the traditional magic. Christian hagiography, Barbara, martyred under Maximilian, was beheaded because they refused to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ. At the same moment of his death lightning he struck his father, guilty himself to be the executor of the martyrdom of his daughter. This incident gave rise to many legends. In the Andes, the figure of Santa Barbara is therefore associated with the divine justice, protection, defense, but goes beyond, coming to represent the archetype of the Witch, invested with all the features of the shaman of those magical places, in a strange syncretism. It turns to her as simply Barbara, as if to emphasize the confidence between the operator and his magical agent, but also to connote it with an aura of mystique ferocity. In the Andes are built, according to a particular ritual, fetish called Head of Santa Barbara, which are used in Mesadas (sacred ceremonies) to evoke the powers of magic and witchcraft. Despite the Catholic saint was considered adolescent, Santa Barbara de Los Andes has the face of an old expression frown. It is said that whoever is in possession of the head of Santa Barbara can get great advantages in every field, triumph over enemies, joining and separating couples at will, it is protected from any attack and magic as long as it respects the worship according to ancient ritual . The Cabeza de Santa Barbara de los Andes is a real fetish esoteric. It is prepared by hand, with the resin of a tree sacred to which are mixed powders of roots and herbs special coming only from the forests of northern Peru, and rezada (consecrated with special prayers) during manufacture. Despite the disturbing aspect the "Barbara de los Andes" is not a negative figure, but it gets to be a real guide for the Shaman magic of those mysterious places. Magic and religion intertwine in a strange relationship where the only boundary is that of the human soul.

The Cabeza de Santa Barbara is already consecrated and prepared, but must be activated by the new owner according to a specific ritual.