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Time of India
14 hours ago
- Lifestyle
- Time of India
Watch: Mexico mayor marries crocodile for ‘prosperity' with kiss and first dance; video goes viral
Source: X In a vibrant blend of Indigenous tradition and cultural folklore, the mayor of San Pedro Huamelula in Oaxaca, Mexico, symbolically married a crocodile as part of a 230-year-old ritual. The ceremony represents a sacred union between two Indigenous communities and is believed to bring prosperity, abundant crops, and harmony to the town. Dressed in a bridal gown, the crocodile—affectionately called 'La Niña Princesa'—was paraded through the streets and kissed by the mayor during the festivities. Though unusual to outsiders, this cherished tradition reflects the town's deep spiritual connection to nature, unity, and its ancestral roots. Mexican man marries crocodile in Oaxaca ritual of Indigenous unity At the heart of the ceremony is a meaningful metaphor: the peaceful union between the Chontal and Huave Indigenous peoples. In this symbolic marriage, the mayor stands in for the Chontal people, while the crocodile bride—lovingly referred to as 'La Niña Princesa' (the princess girl)—represents the Huave community. The ritual underscores a cultural philosophy deeply rooted in Indigenous cosmology: a harmonious bond between nature, community, and tradition ensures continued prosperity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký The marriage is viewed as a spiritual pact that honors the land, calls for ecological balance, and invokes blessings for abundant harvests and thriving marine life. Crocodile bride receives heartfelt welcome in traditional Oaxaca wedding Far from being treated as a novelty or spectacle, the crocodile is regarded with deep reverence throughout the celebration. Preparations begin with a town-wide parade in which the crocodile visits local homes. Residents joyfully dance with her and offer blessings in a ritual of communal welcome. She is then adorned in vibrant traditional attire—a hand-embroidered tunic, a colorful flowing skirt, and a ribbon-laced headdress. For safety during the festivities, her snout is gently tied to avoid any accidental bites. Finally, she is dressed in a white bridal gown and escorted to the town hall, where the symbolic wedding takes place. This careful and affectionate preparation reflects the town's spiritual connection to nature and its deep-rooted belief in honoring all life as sacred. Mayor leads symbolic crocodile wedding celebrating Indigenous unity and tradition During the wedding ceremony, Mayor Daniel Gutiérrez led the rituals as traditional music filled the air. Surrounded by dancing residents, he kissed his scaly bride on the snout and performed the symbolic first dance, embodying the union of the two cultures and their shared destiny. A video of the event, posted on social media, quickly gained attention across the globe—drawing both amusement and admiration. While the ceremony might appear eccentric to outsiders, for the people of San Pedro Huamelula, it is a deeply spiritual and meaningful tradition passed down through generations. This wasn't the first time such a ceremony took place. In 2023, another mayor, Victor Hugo Sosa, took part in a similar ritual, marrying a crocodile named Alicia Adriana. During that event, he declared: 'I accept responsibility because we love each other. That is what is important. You can't have a marriage without love.' These ceremonies are more than symbolic—they serve as a cultural preservation of Indigenous customs, reflecting resilience in the face of modernization. Crocodile wedding renews ties to nature and ancestry For the people of San Pedro Huamelula, the ritual is a spiritual dialogue with nature. Local lore holds that the union helps to: Invite rainfall and ensure fertile soil Attract fish and maintain marine abundance Protect the community and maintain peace The crocodile wedding is a heartfelt plea to nature for blessings in the year ahead, blending ancestral reverence with ecological awareness. It reinforces the community's belief that spiritual harmony directly influences natural prosperity. In an age where global traditions are increasingly diluted, the crocodile wedding stands as a powerful act of cultural preservation and resilience. It connects people to their roots, fortifies their spiritual identity, and celebrates the relationship between humanity and the environment. While outsiders may see it as eccentric, to the locals, it is an annual reaffirmation of faith, unity, and hope—a reminder that tradition can adapt, endure, and still inspire in the modern world. Also Read | California woman saves $1,500 a month living in a $500 underground bunker with no utilities or sunlight - and she loves it
Time of India
20 hours ago
- General
- Time of India
Japan urges evacuation of small island as 1,000 quakes hit region
Japanese authorities urged the 89 residents of a small southern island to evacuate after a strong earthquake on Thursday, the latest of more than 1,000 recent jolts to hit the area. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Residents were urged to evacuate to "a school playground in Akuseki Island", a municipal official told AFP. Akuseki is part of the Tokara island chain south of Kyushu region, which has been rattled by 1,031 quakes since June 21. No major damage has been reported. After all residents were confirmed safe, the evacuation instruction was later lifted. On Thursday, a 5.5 magnitude quake struck near Akuseki. The previous day a jolt of the same size was also recorded. Seven of the 12 remote Tokara Islands are inhabited, with around 700 residents in total. There was no tsunami risk from Thursday's quake, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. A similar period of intense seismic activity in the Tokara area occurred in Sept 2023, when 346 earthquakes were recorded, according to the JMA. A Mexican mayor says 'I do' to a reptile for prosperity In the southern Mexican town of San Pedro Huamelula, a unique celebration takes place each year: the symbolic marriage between the town's mayor and a live alligator-like reptile. This ritual, rooted in more than 230 years of tradition, represents the union of two of Oaxaca state's indigenous cultures - the Chontal and the Huave - and is believed to bring prosperity to the community. This year, Mayor Daniel Gutierrez took part in the ceremony, marrying "princess girl," a female caiman, a reptile that closely resembles the alligator.
Yahoo
a day ago
- General
- Yahoo
Mexican mayor says 'I do' to caiman reptile in colorful tradition
SAN PEDRO HUAMELULA, Mexico (Reuters) -In the southern Mexican town of San Pedro Huamelula, a unique celebration takes place each year: the symbolic marriage between the town's mayor and a live alligator-like reptile. This ritual, rooted in more than 230 years of tradition, represents the union of two of Oaxaca state's indigenous cultures - the Chontal and the Huave - and is believed to bring prosperity to the community. This year, Mayor Daniel Gutierrez took part in the ceremony, marrying "princess girl," a female caiman, a reptile that closely resembles the alligator. The caiman is known by the name given to her by the town: Miguelana Estela del Mar Zavaleta Ramirez. As part of the ritual, the reptile is adorned in a white wedding gown and paraded through the town, visiting homes as residents dance to festive music. Finally, Gutierrez seals the symbolic union with a ceremonial kiss, symbolizing his love and commitment to his ethnic group. The caiman symbolizes the Huave princess, while Gutierrez represents the Chontal king. As the legend goes, a royal marriage between the two groups centuries ago ended a long-standing conflict. Hundreds of years later, the ritual continues as a symbol of peace and unity. "For us, it's a ritual in which we ask mother earth and our creator for abundance in our harvests, fishing, and every product our region can offer," said Luis Manuel Lopez, a resident of the town. The celebration spans three days of music, dance and vibrant cultural displays. The reptile is dressed by a woman known as the godmother in three different traditional dresses, including a regional Zoque dress adorned with bright colors, a multicolored skirt and floral headpieces. The symbolic ceremony, held before a crowd of townspeople, marks the culmination of the patron saint festivities in honor of San Pedro Apostol. "Huamelula is so rich in tradition and culture that today, like every year, Huamelula is in the eyes of the world,' Gutierrez said.
Reuters
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Reuters
Mexican mayor says 'I do' to caiman reptile in colorful tradition
SAN PEDRO HUAMELULA, Mexico, July 3 (Reuters) - In the southern Mexican town of San Pedro Huamelula, a unique celebration, opens new tab takes place each year: the symbolic marriage between the town's mayor and a live alligator-like reptile. This ritual, rooted in more than 230 years of tradition, represents the union of two of Oaxaca state's indigenous cultures - the Chontal and the Huave - and is believed to bring prosperity to the community. This year, Mayor Daniel Gutierrez took part in the ceremony, marrying "princess girl," a female caiman, a reptile that closely resembles the alligator. The caiman is known by the name given to her by the town: Miguelana Estela del Mar Zavaleta Ramirez. As part of the ritual, the reptile is adorned in a white wedding gown and paraded through the town, visiting homes as residents dance to festive music. Finally, Gutierrez seals the symbolic union with a ceremonial kiss, symbolizing his love and commitment to his ethnic group. The caiman symbolizes the Huave princess, while Gutierrez represents the Chontal king. As the legend goes, a royal marriage between the two groups centuries ago ended a long-standing conflict. Hundreds of years later, the ritual continues as a symbol of peace and unity. "For us, it's a ritual in which we ask mother earth and our creator for abundance in our harvests, fishing, and every product our region can offer," said Luis Manuel Lopez, a resident of the town. The celebration spans three days of music, dance and vibrant cultural displays. The reptile is dressed by a woman known as the godmother in three different traditional dresses, including a regional Zoque dress adorned with bright colors, a multicolored skirt and floral headpieces. The symbolic ceremony, held before a crowd of townspeople, marks the culmination of the patron saint festivities in honor of San Pedro Apostol. "Huamelula is so rich in tradition and culture that today, like every year, Huamelula is in the eyes of the world,' Gutierrez said.
GMA Network
a day ago
- General
- GMA Network
Mexican mayor says ‘I do' to caiman reptile in colorful tradition
SAN PEDRO HUAMELULA, Mexico — In the southern Mexican town of San Pedro Huamelula, a unique celebration takes place each year: the symbolic marriage between the town's mayor and a live alligator-like reptile. This ritual, rooted in more than 230 years of tradition, represents the union of two of Oaxaca state's indigenous cultures—the Chontal and the Huave—and is believed to bring prosperity to the community. This year, Mayor Daniel Gutierrez took part in the ceremony, marrying "princess girl," a female caiman, a reptile that closely resembles the alligator. The caiman is known by the name given to her by the town: Miguelana Estela del Mar Zavaleta Ramirez. As part of the ritual, the reptile is adorned in a white wedding gown and paraded through the town, visiting homes as residents dance to festive music. Finally, Gutierrez seals the symbolic union with a ceremonial kiss, symbolizing his love and commitment to his ethnic group. The caiman symbolizes the Huave princess, while Gutierrez represents the Chontal king. As the legend goes, a royal marriage between the two groups centuries ago ended a long-standing conflict. Hundreds of years later, the ritual continues as a symbol of peace and unity. "For us, it's a ritual in which we ask mother earth and our creator for abundance in our harvests, fishing, and every product our region can offer," said Luis Manuel Lopez, a resident of the town. The celebration spans three days of music, dance and vibrant cultural displays. The reptile is dressed by a woman known as the godmother in three different traditional dresses, including a regional Zoque dress adorned with bright colors, a multicolored skirt and floral headpieces. The symbolic ceremony, held before a crowd of townspeople, marks the culmination of the patron saint festivities in honor of San Pedro Apostol. "Huamelula is so rich in tradition and culture that today, like every year, Huamelula is in the eyes of the world,' Gutierrez said. — Reuters
