Mexican President Posts Photo Of What He Claims To Be A Mythical Mayan Spirit

Mexico’s president posted a photo on his social media accounts on Saturday showing what he said appears to be an elf-like mythological woodland spirit.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador didn’t seem to be kidding when he posted a photo of an “Aluxe”, a mischievous forest spirit from Mayan folklore.

López Obrador wrote that the photo “was taken three days ago by an engineer, it seems like a luxury”, adding “everything is mystical”.

The night shot shows a tree with a branch forming what looks like a halo of hair, and what could be stars forming the character’s eyes.

López Obrador has long expressed respect for indigenous cultures and beliefs. Engineers and laborers are on the Yucatan Peninsula, building a tourist train that is the president’s pet project.

According to traditional Mayan belief, “Aluxes” are mischievous little creatures that inhabit forests and fields and are prone to playing tricks on people, such as hiding things. Some people leave small offerings to appease them.

The ancient Maya civilization reached its peak from 300 to 900 AD on the Yucatan Peninsula and adjacent regions of Central America, but descendants of the Maya continue to live on the peninsula.

Many continue to speak the Mayan language and wear traditional clothing, while maintaining traditional foods, cultures, religion and medical practices, despite the area being conquered by the Spanish between 1527 and 1546.