The mayor of a small town in southern Mexico married an alligator in a traditional ritual aimed at bringing good luck to the people.
Victor Hugo Sosa, mayor of San Pedro Huamelula, a town of the indigenous Chontal people on the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, married Alicia Adriana and vowed that what traditional folklore calls a “princess” is true.
“I accept responsibility because we love each other. That’s what matters. We can’t have a loveless marriage… I agree to marry the princess”Sosa indicated in the ritual.
The marriage between a male and female alligator has been held in the city for 230 years, commemorating the day when two indigenous groups achieved peace through marriage.
According to tradition, tensions were overcome when a Chontal king, currently represented by the mayor, quarreled with the princess of the indigenous Huave group, represented by the alligator.
The Huave live along the coast of the state of Oaxaca, not far from San Pedro Huamelula.
Marriage allows the parties to “connect with Mother Earth, ask her for rain, the germination of seeds and all things that are harmony and peace for the Chontal,” explains Jaime Zarate, chronicler of San Pedro Huamelula. to AFP.
Before the wedding ceremony, the reptile is taken from house to house so that the residents can pick it up and dance. The alligator wears a green skirt, a colorful hand-embroidered tunic, and ribbons and sequins on her head. The muzzle of the bride is tied to prevent pre-wedding accidents.
Later, the bride wears a white dress and is taken to the town hall for the event.
As part of the ritual, Joel Vasquez, a local fisherman, casts his net and proclaims that the town hopes the wedding will bring “good fishing so that there will be prosperity, balance, and a way to live in peace.”
At the wedding, the mayor dances with his bride to the sounds of traditional music.
“We are happy because we celebrate the union of two cultures. The people are happy,” Sosa told AFP, who had to kiss his “princess” on the nose.
Source: DN
