Mexican President Andrés Manuel Lopez Obrador (also known as AMLO) became the subject of internet jokes on Sunday (February 26) when he claimed a blurry, dark photo of a tree at night showed a figure from Mayan mythology, as depicted in a historic sculpture from the Mayan civilization.
Sharing the two photos, he said the one on the left was reportedly “taken by an engineer three days ago” who was involved in the Maya Train project and showed an alux, referring to small creatures who were believed to play tricks on people. The other showed a “splendid pre-Hispanic sculpture in Ek Balam” located in Mexico. “Everything is mystical,” he added.
What are aluxes?
According to Mayan mythology, aluxes are small, mischievous creatures that inhabit forests and fields and play tricks on people, like hiding things, an AP report explains. It adds that some people leave small offerings to appease them.
The Yucatan Times, a local media organisation, reported legends about how shelter-like structures were built for aluxes when construction works were undertaken in the area. It was believed these shelters would attract the creatures, who would then help ward off any hindrances and help work proceed smoothly.
Similarly, there are myths about angering the forest spirits. During a 2010 concert by British singer Elton John in the region, local Mayan leaders complained about it being held near the Mayan pyramids of Chichen Itza. They said a state collapse before the performance, which hurt three people, was the work of aluxes for not taking permission from the Gods.
