Culture
VIDEO: Mexican mayor marries crocodile in ancient, traditional ritual
The 230-year-long tradition of marrying a female crocodile to a man in San Pedro Huamelula is meant to commemorate when the Chontal and Huave indigenous groups found peace with each other
July 3, 2023 8:56am
Updated: July 3, 2023 8:56am
A Mexican mayor married a female crocodile as part of a traditional ritual meant to bring good luck to his town’s residents.
Mayor Victor Hugo Sosa married the crocodile, named Alicia Adriana in the town of San Pedro Huamelula in the state of Oaxaca in southern Mexico.
The mayor and his reptile bride re-enacted the ancient ritual of the indigenous Chontal people in front of dozens of visitors and town residents. The mayor said the two “loved each other” after the ceremony.
“I accept responsibility because we love each other. That is what is important,” said Mayor Sosa.
“You can’t have a marriage without love… I yield to marriage with the princess girl,” as the ancient myth refers to the crocodile.
Y AHORA LOS DECLARO MARIDO Y… ¿CAIMÁN? 🤵🏻💍🐊
— Nuestro Diario (@NuestroDiario) July 2, 2023
Entre aplausos, bailes y un romántico beso, el alcalde de un pueblo de México contrajo matrimonio con un caimán hembra. El líder local y su novia reptil, llamada “Alicia Adriana”, se unieron cumpliendo así con un rito tradicional… pic.twitter.com/L3u39FPXSK
The 230-year-long tradition of marrying a female crocodile to a man in San Pedro Huamelula is meant to commemorate when the Chontal and Huave indigenous groups found peace with each other.
The mayor is meant to present the Chontal king, while the crocodile is meant to represent a Huave princess girl. Their marriage signifies a union of the two communities, according to the lore.
"For us, the crocodile is important because she is the queen, the princess who comes to bring us water, a good harvest, rains, so that God the Almighty Father sends us food, fish, corn, the harvest," the mayor said.
Before the marriage takes place, the reptile, dressed in a green skirt and a hand-embroidered tunic, is carried to different houses in the town, where the locals can hold her and dance with her. Of course, the princess girl’s mouth is shut tight to prevent any incidents from taking place.
Later, the crocodile is dressed up in a white wedding dress and taken to the local town hall to marry her groom. After the wedding, the newlywed couple and the town residents continue to dance the night away.
“We are happy because we celebrate the union of two cultures. People are content,” the mayor said.
Para cumplir con una de las costumbres más arraigadas en el pueblo de San Pedro Huamelula #Oaxaca, el alcalde de la localidad, Víctor Hugo Sosa, aceptó casarse con una lagarta viva y la ceremonia fue este viernes.
— Quadratín Oaxaca (@Quadratinoaxaca) July 1, 2023
📹Rusvel Rasgado pic.twitter.com/A8VnhIFt5q
