Alux

Overview

Small, often invisible nature beings of Yucatec Maya tradition, regarded as guardians of the land, forest, and milpa (cornfield), capable of helping or harming humans depending on how they are treated.

Details

Origin:

Yucatec Maya cultural area: the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, Belize, and northern Guatemala.

Regions:

Yucatán Peninsula, Quintana Roo, Campeche, Petén

First Reported:

Pre-contact (oral tradition)

Full Account

An alux (Yucatec Maya [aˈluʃ], plural aluxo'ob) is a small, knee-high being of Yucatec Maya tradition, often described as resembling a miniature traditionally-dressed Maya person. Aluxo'ob are generally invisible but can take physical form to communicate or congregate. They are most strongly associated with the milpa (cornfield) and with caves and forests, and are regarded as guardians and as sources of mischief: they can call rain and protect crops, but if disrespected they will throw pots, blow out fires, hide tools, and bring sickness on those who offend them. Maya farmers traditionally build a small shelter (sometimes called a koben) for an alux when establishing a milpa, leaving offerings; after seven years the structure is sealed to prevent the being from running wild. Modern construction projects in the Yucatán, including the well-known Cancun Hyatt-area bridge, have included propitiatory rituals to the aluxo'ob to forestall accidents. The Yucatec aluxo'ob belong to a wider Mesoamerican family of small land spirits including the Nahuatl chanekeh / chaneque.

Also Known As

• Aluxo'ob (Yucatec Maya)
• Chanekeh (Nahuatl, Central Mexico)
• Chaneque (Spanish (loan from Nahuatl), Mexico)

Etymology

Origin:

From Yucatec Maya alux [aˈluʃ], plural aluxo'ob.

Meaning:

The word does not have an agreed external etymology; in tradition it simply names the being.

First Use:

Documented in colonial-era and 20th-century Yucatec Maya ethnography.

Timeline

• 20th century — Ethnographers document Yucatec aluxo'ob traditions and the milpa shelter / seven-year sealing custom (Anchoring of the tradition in the academic record)

Cultural Significance

Aluxo'ob are owed respect, offerings, and proper ritual; they are not invoked frivolously.

Related Phenomena

• Chaneque — Nahuatl small nature spirit of central Mexico
• Duende — Iberian and Latin American small house / forest spirit
• Leprechaun — Irish small mischievous folkloric being (parallel role)

Tags

Sources

• Alux — Wikipedia