Mexico’s president posted a photo on his social media accounts on Saturday of what he said appears to be a mythical woodland spirit similar to an elf.
President Andrés Manuel López Obrador wasn’t kidding when he posted a photo of the “Elx,” a mischievous woodland spirit in Maya folklore.
López Obrador wrote “The photo was taken three days ago by an engineer, it appears to be an alux,” “Everything is mysterious.”
The night-time picture shows a tree with a branch with what looks like a halo of hair, and what may be stars making up the figure’s eyes.
López Obrador has long expressed respect for indigenous cultures and beliefs. Engineers and crews are building a tourist train in the Yucatan Peninsula, a pet project of the president.
According to traditional Mayan belief, “aluks” are small, mischievous creatures that live in forests and fields and are prone to playing tricks on people, such as hiding things. Some people leave small offerings to please him.
The ancient Maya civilization reached its height from 300 AD to 900 AD on the Yucatán Peninsula and adjacent parts of Central America, but descendants of the Maya still live on the peninsula.
Despite the conquest of the region by the Spanish between 1527 and 1546, many people speak Maya languages and wear traditional clothing, as well as preserving traditional foods, crops, religion, and medical practices.
