Connect with us

International News

Mexican Mayor Marries Female Reptile

Published

on

 

In a unique and traditional ceremony, Victor Hugo Sosa, the mayor of San Pedro Huamelula, a small town in southern Mexico inhabited by the Indigenous Chontal community, recently celebrated a special union.

 

Embracing his community’s ancestral practices, Mayor Sosa entered into a sacred matrimony with Alicia Adriana, a female reptile, as part of a ritual believed to bring prosperity and well-being to his people.

 

The reptile, Alicia Adriana is a caiman, a species resembling an alligator that thrives in the marshlands of Mexico and Central America.

 

In the ceremony deeply rooted in local lore, Sosa pledged his loyalty and devotion to “the princess girl,”

 

Sosa said during the ritual “I accept responsibility because we love each other. That is what is important. You can’t have a marriage without love… I yield to marriage with the princess girl.”

 

Prior to the wedding ceremony, a unique tradition takes place where the reptile, adorned in vibrant attire, is taken from house to house.

 

Residents of the town have the opportunity to hold the alligator in their arms and engage in joyful dances together.

 

The alligator’s ensemble includes a green skirt, a beautifully hand-embroidered tunic bursting with colors, and an eye-catching headdress embellished with ribbons and sequins.

 

The creature’s snout is bound shut to avoid any pre-marital mishaps. Later, she is put in a white bride’s costume and taken to town hall for the blessed event.

 

As part of the ritual, Joel Vasquez, a local fisherman, tosses his net and intones the town’s hopes that the marriage may bring “good fishing, so that there is prosperity, equilibrium and ways to live in peace.”

 

After the wedding, the mayor dances with his bride to the sounds of traditional music.

 

Sosa told AFP “We are happy because we celebrate the union of two cultures. People are content,”

 

For the past 230 years, a unique and time-honored tradition has been observed in this region—a marriage between a man and a female caiman.

 

This distinctive ceremony serves as a commemoration of the day when two Indigenous groups reached a momentous peace agreement, signified by a union through marriage.

 

In accordance with a rich tradition that dates back many years, the reconciliation of two Indigenous groups is commemorated through a symbolic marriage ceremony.

 

Representing the Chontal community, the mayor assumes the role of a Chontal king, while the female alligator represents the princess girl from the Huave Indigenous group.

 

The Huave people reside in the coastal regions of Oaxaca, not far from the inland town where this ceremony takes place.

 

The wedding allows the sides to “link with what is the emblem of Mother Earth, asking the all-powerful for rain, the germination of the seed, all those things that are peace and harmony for the Chontal man,” explains Jaime Zarate, chronicler of San Pedro Huamelula.

 

 

 

 

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

International News

ICC Issues Arrest Warrants For Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, Others

Published

on

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has taken a historic step, issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant.

The charges include crimes against humanity and war crimes allegedly committed during Israel’s recent assault on Gaza.

In a detailed statement, the ICC accused the Israeli leaders of “intentionally and knowingly depriving the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity.”

READ MORE: Osun Govt Decries Attempted Murder Of Park Mgt  Chairman By Police

The ICC’s move marks a significant escalation in international scrutiny of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Netanyahu and Gallant are alleged to have orchestrated policies that caused severe harm to the civilian population in Gaza, leading to widespread condemnation from human rights organizations.

Alongside the charges against Israeli officials, the ICC also issued an arrest warrant for Hamas military commander Mohammed Deif. Deif has long been a central figure in Hamas’s military operations. Israel’s military claims to have killed him in a July airstrike, although this has not been independently verified.

The warrants highlight growing calls for accountability amid the ongoing conflict in the region. The ICC’s actions are likely to provoke heated debate and may complicate diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the crisis.

With the warrants issued, global attention now turns to how the international community will respond and whether any practical steps will be taken to enforce them.

Continue Reading

International News

COP29: Climate Summit Faces Deadlock Over Vague Funding Proposals For Vulnerable Nations

Published

on

As the 29th United Nations Climate Change Summit (COP29) nears its conclusion, tensions are rising over a newly published funding proposal aimed at assisting developing nations in addressing climate-induced crises.

The proposal, released by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) on Thursday, has sparked widespread debate among delegations, activists, and observers at the summit.

The document, spanning ten pages, outlines funding options to support developing countries in implementing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

READ ALSO: Osun Explains N75,000 New Minimum Wage

However, it fails to specify how much wealthier nations are required to contribute annually—a key sticking point that has drawn criticism from the Global South and climate advocates.

Ambiguity in Funding Commitments

Critics argue that the absence of concrete figures undermines the credibility of the proposed framework.

Mohamed Adow, Founder and Director of Power Shift Africa, described the proposal as “a blank piece of paper,” highlighting the lack of clarity on financial commitments.

“This is the ‘finance COP.’ We came here to talk about money. The way you measure money is with numbers. We need a cheque, but all we have right now is a blank piece of paper,” Adow remarked during an interview.

The Global South, led by African delegations, is demanding at least $1.3 trillion annually by the end of the decade to adapt to climate change impacts and transition to sustainable energy systems.

Yet, developed nations have yet to commit to a specific annual figure, raising concerns over the summit’s ability to deliver tangible outcomes.

Key Provisions and Concerns

The new text acknowledges the disproportionate impact of climate change on developing nations and the financial barriers they face, including high costs of capital and limited fiscal space.

READ ALSO: NNPCL Launches Utapate Crude Oil Blend, Eyes Production Expansion In 2025

It proposes the establishment of a New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) for climate finance, suggesting a framework of “at least USD [X] trillion annually” from 2025 to 2035.

However, the absence of defined numbers has led to frustration among negotiators.

David Tong, Global Industry Campaign Manager at Oil Change International, emphasized the critical role of finance in achieving meaningful progress.

“Without finance, there is no phase-out [of fossil fuels], no energy transition, no adaptation. The ambitious options are simply missing,” Tong stated during a press briefing.

Rising Frustration from the Global South

Delegates from the Global South have expressed dissatisfaction with what they perceive as weak commitments from developed nations.

Many fear that without concrete financial pledges, the summit’s outcomes may fall short of expectations.

“This summit is about delivering justice to those who suffer most from climate impacts. Wealthy nations must step up and provide the necessary funding,” said an African negotiator, speaking on condition of anonymity.

A Critical Juncture

With less than 48 hours remaining in the summit, the stakes are high. The COP29 negotiations in Baku, dubbed the “finance COP,” are expected to set a precedent for addressing the financial needs of vulnerable nations.

Delegates are calling on world leaders to finalize an ambitious NCQG target and bridge the growing divide between developed and developing nations.

 

 

Continue Reading

International News

Biden Approves Anti-Personnel Mines For Ukraine

Published

on

In a significant policy move, U.S. President Joe Biden has authorised the transfer of anti-personnel mines to Ukraine, signaling heightened support for the country amid its ongoing struggle against Russian forces.

The decision underscores the administration’s commitment to bolstering Ukraine’s defensive capabilities as the conflict shows no signs of abating.

This announcement follows reports that Ukrainian forces have employed U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles to conduct precision strikes within Russian territory.

These developments have reportedly prompted Russian President Vladimir Putin to modify elements of Russia’s nuclear doctrine, further intensifying global scrutiny of the conflict’s escalation.

READ MORE: Vinicius Jr. Honors Cameroonian Roots Ahead Of Brazil’s Clash With Uruguay

In addition to the mines, the U.S. is set to unveil a new $275 million military aid package for Ukraine in the coming days. The package is expected to include a range of munitions and equipment aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s operational readiness.

This move aligns with Washington’s broader strategy to maintain robust support for Kyiv, even as questions loom over potential shifts in U.S. foreign policy with the approaching transition to a new administration.

The U.S. government has remained steadfast in its support for Ukraine, with officials emphasizing that these measures are essential for helping Ukraine defend its sovereignty. The provision of anti-personnel mines, however, marks a controversial step, reflecting the urgency of the situation on the ground.

As the conflict continues, the Biden administration’s decisions will likely have profound implications not only for Ukraine but also for the broader geopolitical landscape, where tensions remain high and outcomes uncertain.

Continue Reading

Copyright © 2022. Biztellers, powered by Alphaxristi.