President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador seemed to be serious in his analysis of a photo taken by an engineer which he believes to be an ‘alux’ – a mischievous woodland spirit in Mayan folklore
Mexico’s president has shared a photo he claims is proof of the existence a mythological woodland spirit similar to an elf.
President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador seemed to be serious in his analysis of a photo taken by an engineer which he believes to be an “alux” – a mischievous woodland spirit in Mayan folklore.
The 69-year-old, who has been in the role since 2018, wrote on Twitter: “I share two photos of our supervision of the Mayan Train works: one, taken by an engineer three days ago, apparently from an alux; another, by Diego Prieto of a splendid pre-Hispanic sculpture in Ek Balam. Everything is mystical.”
According to traditional Mayan belief, “aluxes” are small, mischievous creatures that inhabit forests and fields and are prone to playing tricks on people, like hiding things. Some people leave small offerings to appease them.
The photo, which was taken at night, shows a tree with a branch forming what looks like a halo of hair and what may be stars forming the figure’s eyes.
Lopez Obrador has expressed reverence for indigenous cultures and beliefs during his tenure.
Engineers and workers are in the Yucatan peninsula, constructing a tourist train that is the president’s pet project.
Les comparto dos fotos de nuestra supervisión a las obras del Tren Maya: una, tomada por un ingeniero hace tres días, al parecer de un aluxe; otra, de Diego Prieto de una espléndida escultura prehispánica en Ek Balam. Todo es místico. pic.twitter.com/Tr5OP2EqmU
— Andrés Manuel (@lopezobrador_) February 25, 2023
Mayan traditions are taken very seriously in Mexico, particularly one of the Seven Wonders of the World – Chichen Itza.
Last month, a Polish tourist was whacked over the head with a large wooden stick after sparking fury by climbing the steps of the ancient Mayan temple.
The tourist was the latest visitor to feel the wrath of locals and other tourists after breaching a ban on ascending the 82ft pyramid.’
Footage taken by onlookers showed him being escorted down the steps by two security guards before being surrounded and abused.
Moments later a bare-chested man in shorts and sandals, seen resting a long stick on his shoulder as the tourist descended the pyramid, approached him from behind and whacked him over the back of the head with the weapon.
The unnamed Polish holidaymaker is thought to have been fined 5,000 pesos (£212) after being held in custody for around 12 hours, appeared to be momentarily stunned and looked back behind him while covering his head with his hands but seemed to make no attempt to retaliate.
He is understood to have told the authorities he accessed the non-authorized area to take photos and post them on his social media.
Just when you think the world would not get any more absurd or weird.
On the days before we all knew the damaged we were doing, I climbed the pyramids in Mexico and Guatemala and no Mexican or Mayan woodland creatures hit me.
Lucky me , I guess
What is next? President of Mexico blaming the drug problem on the Mayan Spirits?