Mexican Mayor Victor Hugo Sosa married a crocodile bride last Thursday in a small village in a ceremony that dates back centuries, hoping to bring good luck to the fishing community in his city.
A mare, bent down to kiss the reptile more than once, while the crocodile’s mouth was tied during the ceremony, in which they played trumpets and drums. The seven-year-old beast was called the “Little Princess” and is perceived by traditional tribes as nature. Her marriage to a local leader symbolizes a connection between human beings and God.
The crocodile was carried by locals on the village streets, with men waving their hats. The colorful ceremony is part of a centuries-old tradition from the pre-Hispanic period in the Chontal and Huave indigenous community in the state of Oaxaca.
“We ask nature for enough rain, enough food and for us to have lots of fish in the river,” Sosa said. The tradition is now mixed with the Catholic spirituality involved in dressing the crocodile in a white wedding dress and clothing items in different colors. Many groups in southern Mexico have preserved indigenous culture.
Elia Edith Aguilar, the godmother who initiated the event, explained that the ceremony gives her “a lot of happiness”, and especially that she took care of the crocodile’s dress. “It’s a very beautiful tradition,” Aguiler said.