Mexico: A small town in Mexico, San Pedro Huamelula, observed one of the age-old indigenous traditions pleading for nature's bounty. The mayor of the town, Victor Hugo Sosa, got married to an alligator in a vibrant ceremony with traditional music.
The leader sealed the marriage with a kiss on the animal's snout. To avoid unpleasant accidents like the gator biting the mayor's head off, the lips of the animal were tied shut, reported Reuters.
The ritual belongs to the Chontal and Huave indigenous communities of Oaxaca state. It dates back to pre-Hispanic times. The ceremony is the community's way of asking nature for enough rain, food, and fish in the river.
Oaxaca is one of Mexico's richest areas in terms of indigenous culture. Many communities in the region have maintained their languages and traditions. However, the influence of colonisation and Spanish traditions have managed to taint their indigenous practices a little.
Due to the influence of Catholic spirituality, the alligator was dressed in a white wedding dress paired with other colourful garments. The seven-year-old creature is considered to be a deity representing mother earth. Her union with the local leader is a symbol of humans joining hands with the divine.
Elia Edith Aguilar, known as the godmother who organized the wedding, told Reuters that it gives her much happiness and makes her proud of her roots. She added that it is a privilege to be trusted with carrying out the ancient ceremony. Apparently, Elia spent a lot of time deciding what the alligator bride would be wearing.
At par with a wedding ceremony between two humans, the reptile bride also received a festivity filled with trumpets and drums. She was also carried in the arms of locals while villagers gathered on the streets to fan her with their hats.
It is not uncommon for indigenous cultures across the world to involve animals in wedding ceremonies to please the gods. In India, it is common to marry off donkeys and frogs to each other. In some cases, humans are also made to marry animals. Animals are often dressed up in jasmine garlands and colourful powders on the wedding day. The ceremonies are often intended to ask for a good monsoon.