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Alebrijes

Alebrije: (ala-bree-hey) a mythical creature made of parts of different animals, like a modern chimera. Oaxaca’s colorfully painted animals carved out of wood.

Alebrije is a term used to describe a wild or fanciful creature that exists only in the imagination, usually having multiple animal characteristics, much like the chimera of Greek mythology in appearance and significance. Originally the creation of Mexico City artist Pedro Linares who started sculpting wild paper mache animals in the 1940’s and called them alebrijes, they were donkeys with butterfly wings, roosters with bull horns, lions with eagle heads and were based on hallucinations he experienced while ill. The creation of alebrijes took hold and has since grown into a vibrant Mexican folk art and the term is often used to describe Oaxacan wood carvings as well.

Oaxacan alebrijes are made of hand carved copal wood--indigenous to the area, are brightly painted and usually have wild shapes and patterns. You can find alebrijes of every possible size, shape and quality in the shops and markets of Oaxaca. Many are vastly ornate and intricate and the very best are collectors’ items, housed in galleries and museums.

Wood-carving has been an art in the Valley of Oaxaca for centuries especially in the three near-by villages of Arrazola, San Martin Tilcajete and La Union. In addition to alebrijes you can find all manner of wood carving in Oaxaca: masks, virgins, devils, saints, angels and architectural elements. The wood carved alibrijes of Oaxaca have become a popular folk art, loved for their whimsy and bright colors; they readily appeal to the imagination and you can find the carvings being sold all across Mexico. Here too in Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo, you can find some of these colorful devils to take home with you.

These Alebrijes found at El Embarcadero in Casa Marina, Juan N Alvarez #21, Central Zihuatanejo. Tel. 554-2373

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