The mayor of San Pedro Huamelula in Mexico caught the Internet’s attention after marrying a female crocodile dressed in a wedding gown. Though this is as absurd as “the big day” can get, it’s deeply rooted in Mexican culture. The symbolic union is believed to bring prosperity, harmony, and strengthen ancestral ties within the community.

Female crocodile dressed in a wedding gown

Similarly, two years ago, the then-mayor, Victor Hugo Sosa, performed this ritual, uttering the words, “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.” Historically, this ritual began during the time of a Chontal king, now represented by the mayor, marrying a Huave princess, symbolised by an alligator-like creature. The ritual starts with parading the croc bride around the town, dressed in the wedding gown with the snout tied shut . After the ceremony, the mayor and bride dance to traditional music, commencing the union of two cultures.