Mexican mayor marries off his alligator in centuries-old ritual; seals vows with kiss (WATCH VIDEO)
Mayor Victor Hugo Sosa married the alligator who was dressed in the wedding attire and obliged more than once, bending to exchange a kiss on the lips of the small alligator’s snout, which was tied to avoid unwanted biting.
NewDelhi: In a centuries-old ritual, a small town Mexico mayor married his alligator bride. The wedding was accompanied by traditional music and dances by revelers while the mayor exchanged vows with a kiss.
Mayor Victor Hugo Sosa married the alligator who was dressed in the wedding attire and obliged more than once, bending to exchange a kiss on the lips of the small alligator’s snout, which was tied to avoid unwanted biting.
The ritual of marriage goes back to the pre-Hispanic times among Oaxaca state’s Chontal and Huave indigenous communities, where prayer was recited pleading for nature’s bounty.
“We ask nature for enough rain, for enough food, that we have fish in the river,” said Sosa, the mayor of San Pedro Huamelula.
In an age-old ritual, a Mexican mayor married his alligator bride to secure abundance. Victor Hugo Sosa sealed the nuptials by kissing the alligator’s snout https://t.co/jwKquOPg93 pic.twitter.com/Vmqh4GpEJu
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 1, 2022
The seven-year-old reptile, which is regarded as a little princess is believed to be a deity representing mother earth. Besides, her marriage to the local leader symbolises the joining of humans with the divine.
With the beating of the drums and blowing of the trumpets, the mayor carried the alligator bride in his arms while men fanned it with their hats.
Elia Edith Aguilar, known as the godmother, organised the wedding, and told Reuters, “It gives me so much happiness and makes me proud of my roots. It’s a very beautiful tradition.”
Besides, she revealed that she seemed privileged to be entrusted with carrying out the ritual. Also, she mentioned that she was fretting over what the bride would wear.