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/