What is an 'alux'? AMLO helps a mythical Mayan elf go viral

[Judi Lynn]

MND Staff
February 27, 2023



Ek Balam sculpture
AMLO shared this photo of a sculpture at the Ek Balam site along with a blurry image of a creature in a tree that he speculated could be an "alux." (@LopezObrador/Twitter)

Little known outside the Yucatán Peninsula, the alux has captured headlines around the world the last few days after President López Obrador shared a photo he claimed was of the mythological Mayan creature on Saturday.

Although many thought it a joke, it wasn’t clear if AMLO was serious or not.

Link to tweet

On his social media accounts, AMLO shared two images with the post:

“I share two photos of our supervision of the Maya Train works: one, taken by an engineer three days ago, apparently of an aluxe; another, by Diego Prieto of a splendid pre-Hispanic sculpture in Ek Balam. Everything is mystical.”

Internet users quickly reacted to the alux image stating that the same photograph has circulated on the internet for at least two years now. The ongoing controversy over the environmental impact of the Maya Train also stirred up chatter online as the president’s post went viral. And it left many wondering: what is an alux?



An ancient Mayan clay figurine that may represent an alux, or elf-like mythical creature. (Wikimedia Commons)

Considered a mischievous woodland spirit in Mayan folklore, the aluxes (a-loo-shez) are small goblins or elves said to live in natural places such as jungles, caves or cenotes. According to legend, these goblins dress as people and play tricks on those who do not leave offerings when building a house or preparing soil for the milpa (corn field).

More:
https://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/what-is-an-alux-amlo-helps-a-mythical-mayan-elf-go-viral/

[Sneederbunk]

1. Will be battling the chupacabra for dominance.

[Judi Lynn]

2. Nothing survives meeting a chupracabra! Way too scary...

[Judi Lynn]

3. 'Everything is mystical': a very important investigation of Maya elves

Via TikTok/@mestreensinador1


Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador says he has proof that the cheeky woodland sprites exist, but is it too good to be true?

This is a pivotal moment for the popular Mexican president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AKA Amlo). Although he won’t be able to run for reelection when the country takes to the polling booths next year, since the constitution limits presidents to a single term, he’s made it his mission to drum up support for a political successor from inside his own party. Making life harder, tens of thousands of Mexicans took to the streets on Sunday, to protest his proposed electoral reforms.

In between his populist rallies and attempts to upend the voting system, though, we’re pleased to report that Amlo still finds time to explore topics he’s passionate about, like the existence of “mystical” elves.

Yes, elves. More specifically, a variety of Maya elf called an alux. Over the weekend, Amlo tweeted a picture that appeared to show one such alux – a spooky, hooded being with glowing eyes – perched on a tree branch. Another picture (presumably shared for comparison) showed a pre-Hispanic sculpture in the Maya archeological site of Ek’ Balam, depicting a similar woodland sprite.

More:
https://www.dazeddigital.com/life-culture/article/58321/1/everything-mystical-very-important-investigation-maya-elves-alux-amlo

[Judi Lynn]

4. Mexican president shares photo of mythical creature

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador assured ‘elf’ spotted at construction site of his controversial pet train project
Jorge Antonio Rocha |
01.03.2023

MEXICO CITY

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador shared a picture Wednesday of an Aluxe -- a mythical creature of indigenous origin – that was allegedly spotted days ago at the construction site of his signature rail project.

But social media users and Twitter's fact-checking team soon contested Lopez Obrador's claim, noting the picture of the ‘elf’ is at least two years old and not recently taken in southeastern Mexico, as the president asserted.

The mythical creature in Mayan culture is said to be a bad omen for those who offend or trespass its territory. It can also be a guide and helpful entity if treated with kindness. The Alux is native to the Yucatan Peninsula where Lopez Obrador's main infrastructure project, El Tren Maya, is being constructed.

. . .

The project has cut down 3.4 million trees in the region after four years of construction, especially in the railway segment constructed by the Ministry of National Defense, which has overseen the felling of more than 2 million trees.

Despite multiple appeals pushed by citizens and environmental activists worried about the potential damage the train might represent to the region, the Lopez Obrador administration has continued with the construction by establishing the Tren Maya as a matter of national security.

More:
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/mexican-president-shares-photo-of-mythical-creature/2834881