San Pedro Huamelula, Mexico – The mayor of a Mexican town married a crocodile on June 29 in a traditional ceremony attended by thousands of residents of a predominantly fishermen’s village.
Oaxaca is arguably the country’s richest in indigenous culture and home to many groups that have stubbornly maintained their languages and traditions. In the village of San Pedro Huamelula, the caiman, (a crocodile-like reptile) is believed to be a deity representing mother earth, with powers over fish and other creatures. Regarded as the princess of waters, her marriage to the local leader symbolizes the joining of humans with the divine.
So, on Thursday, Mayor Victor Hugo Sosa married his crocodile bride, “Alicia Adriana”, in a live ceremony in hopes of bringing prosperity to the residents of the village’s local fishing community.
During the ceremony, which started with a ritualistic baptism and exchange of wedding vows, the ‘groom’ had to kiss the ‘bride’ more than once. As a precaution, the 7-year-old crocodile’s snout was secured with tape to prevent her from biting the groom.
After the wedding ceremony, which was followed by a dance and festive fireworks, the ‘princess bride’ was released back into the water.
A local resident said the traditional wedding ceremony means a lot to the people of San Pedro Huamelula as “it’s the greatest treasure our ancestors have left us.”