Guys, we have talked already about these beautiful Mexican fantasies called alebrijes. After publishing the article Alebrijes, meet these fantastic and colorful Mexican creatures! we receive many questions about them. So here you have the answers. We hope this can satisfy your curiosity and more importantly, that this gives you the last kick to Pack and Go to Mexico to meet these beautiful and exotic creatures in their homeland!
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Are alebrijes from Mexico?
Yes, alebrijes are from Mexico. They were created by the Mexican handicraftsman, Pedro Linares López, who was born in Mexico City in 1906 and died in 1992 when he was 86 years old.
If you want to know more about the story behind the Mexican alebrijes, check Alebrijes, meet these fantastic and colorful Mexican creatures!
How many types of Mexican alebrijes are there?
There are two types of Mexican alebrijes, the ones made of paper, through the technique known as papier-mâché sculpting used by his creator, Pedro Linares López in 1936.
And the alebrijes sculpted in wood, like the Oaxaca ones made of copal wood instead of paper. Based on the Mexican region you are in, you can find more versions that use different types of wood.
What powers do alebrijes have?
Alebrijes don’t have supernatural powers. Let’s explain this, taking away the nahual myth. An alebrije combines different features from different animals in a single creature. Therefore, the powers alebrijes could represent, not really have, are useful animal abilities and instincts. If you give wings to a jaguar, besides being a great swimmer and climber, it will fly. If you add to it an elephant trunk, the jaguar will gain a powerful sense of smell to track whatever. Remember that alebrijes were created far from myths. It was a handicraftsman's creation and contribution to Mexican popular art.
Now, if you look for an answer considering the nahual myth that has been connected with the alebrijes, the powers of nahuales -not of alebrijes- are said to be animal features. But the main difference here is that being connected with a human, those animals could take human shape and the human could transform on the animal. Just consider that the nahuales myth was taken as inspiration to create alebrijes in Oaxaca. But they are not the same thing. Most of the descriptions of nahuales describe them as beasts or normal animals.
Are alebrijes connected with the Day of the Dead?
No, alebrijes are not connected with the Day of the Death. Alebrijes were created by the Mexican Pedro Linares López in 1936. They were the result of his creator’s imagination.
But thinking about the version of alebrijes made in Oaxaca, their link with the nahual myth makes a connection with the Day of the Death.
In Oaxaca, it is believed that, whether in its guardian or evil version, a nahual can appear throughout the year. But during the Day of the Dead, the nahuales are more present because, on that day, the barrier that separates this world and that of the Dead (supernatural world) is erased for a few hours.
On the Day of the Dead, the nahuales coexist with the souls of those they protected in life and it is said, they are even visible to the living. Especially during the days around the Day of the Dead, people in Oaxaca are more careful and kind to animals. They think that these animals could be the nahuales of living or dead people.
What are alebrijes in Coco?
If you haven’t been yet to Mexico, pretty sure you already knew the alebrijes while watching the animated fantasy “Coco” (2017), of Disney.
Alebrijes were used by the creators of “Coco” like spirit guides of the main characters. Don’t forget it is fiction, therefore you shouldn’t take their version like it’s 100% historically accurate. But they used them in the film to include another native and visually attractive Mexican element. Alebrijes are exotic and very colorful and this turned out convenient to create the vibrant environment this Disney’s fantasy offers you.
In the movie, alebrijes are directly connected with the Day of the Death. But we already explained to you that there’s no such connection. The use of alebrijes in “Coco” is closer to the one explained by the nahual myth, popular in states like Oaxaca, about animal guardians of humans. And still, you will find inconsistencies with it because such guardians were normal animals, not alebrijes.
What does it mean to give an alebrije?
Giving an alebrije is a kind detail. Many people give alebrijes as souvenirs of their trip to Mexico. To add a colorful and beautiful detail to any room. For the believers of the myth of the nahual, giving an alebrije means a tool to drive away from a home an evil spirit. It is said that the more monstrous the alebrije looks, the more effective it will be against evil spirits. Some give them away as a symbol of good luck.
The meaning is more a personal attribution than something real.
Do alebrijes represent real animals?
Yes, alebrijes represent real animals, all kinds of them, but with emphasis on the ones that are more common in Mexico. Once the artisan combined the features of different animals in a single piece, the result is not a real but an imaginary animal.
Sometimes, the first thought many tourists have when they see an alebrije for the first time is “they are dragons”. But they are not dragons. Maybe some get a bit that image due to the combination of animals, the addition of claws, wings, or horns.
What animals are alebrijes?
All animals are potential alebrijes (mice, snakes, jaguars, lions, hedgehogs, monkeys, foxes, scorpions, rabbits, and so on). Handicraftsmen use a wide variety of animals and combinations of them. But usually, they recreate the more popular or known animals of their regions.
What are alebrijes made of?
The most popular and traditional alebrijes are made of paper, through the technique known as papier-mâché sculpting. Or sculpted in wood, like the ones made in Oaxaca with copal wood.
But there are alebrijes made of clay, different types of wood, some artists have painted alebrijes. And I have to say that recently I have seen very cheap versions of alebrijes made of plastic by China.
Are all alebrijes the same?
Not at all. Alebrijes are not all the same. Since there’s no standard pattern or matrix to make them, every alebrije is unique and unrepeatable. They (their size, colors, combination of animals, material, etc.) are the result of every creator’s creativity and skills. That gives great value to these pieces. It’s not strange people want to collect them.
How to paint an alebrije?
To paint an alebrije there are no specific rules, just get creative! Every alebrije combines the features of different animals. Talking about such combinations and colors the limit is your imagination. I will create a couple of examples: an eagle-headed lion with wings, a snake-headed leopard with a peacock tail. You can paint them blue, pink, purple, green, black, yellow, brown, etc.
Handcrafting your alebrije could be a nice activity for adults and kids. You should try it!
Where can I buy alebrijes?
You can buy alebrijes in Mexico. There are many souvenirs shops, craft markets, and art galleries where you can find all sizes, animal combinations, and quality alebrijes. You can also try online shops but there’s a chance the products are not Mexican.
And as we just said, you can create yours!
Share your experiences with us:
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