Aluxes

Description

Aluxes (pronounced Ah-loosh with the stress on ‘loosh’ and in Mayan: aluxo’ob) is the name given to a type of spirit in the mythological tradition of the Maya people from the Yucatan Peninsula. Aluxob are thought of as being small, less than two feet high, and in appearance resembling miniature traditionally dressed Maya people. Tradition holds that aluxes are generally invisible but are able to assume physical form for purposes of communicating with and frightening humans as well as to congregate. They are generally associated with natural features such as forests, caves, stones, and fields but can also be enticed to move somewhere through offerings. Their description and mythological role are somewhat reminiscent of other sprite-like mythical entities in a number of other cultural traditions (such as the leprechaun), as the tricks they play are similar.

Published by: RBC Publications