Alebrijes are hand-carved and hand-painted wooden sculptures created primarily by artisans in San Antonio Arrazola and San Martín Tilcajete, Oaxaca. Made from copal wood and decorated with intricate Zapotec and Mixtec patterns, each piece is a one-of-a-kind artistic creation.
The origin of alebrijes goes back to Mexico City in the 1930s, when a cartonero (papier-mâché artisan) named Pedro Linares López began creating fantastic creatures inspired by a vivid dream. While sick with a high fever, he imagined himself walking through a strange forest filled with hybrid animals that cried out the word “alebrijes.”
Alebrijes weren’t part of the older Oaxaca Día de Muertos traditions, but they have made their way into modern-day celebrations. As part of mainstream pop culture today, they have made their way into Day of the Dead-themed films, like Pixar’s Coco.
Alebrijes are sculptures of colorful and whimsical-looking spirit animals that have become an important part of Mexican culture. Originated in the 1930s in Mexico City, alebrijes are known for their imaginative combinations of animal features, often resulting in surreal and visually captivating forms.
Although the creator of alebrijes was from Mexico City, the alebrijes that are famous today are mostly developed in San Martin Tilcajete, Oaxaca, also known as the "land of alebrijes."
Is there any relationship between Alebrijes and the Day of the Dead? Although Alebrijes are not traditionally part of Day of the Dead celebrations, in recent years, they have been included in parades and festivities due to their vibrant colors and symbolism of the intersection between life and death.
Travel Mexico Solo on MSN: What Are Alebrijes? Discover Mexico’s Most Magical Art Form