Alux facts for kids

An alux (pronounced ah-LOOSH) is a small, magical spirit from the stories of the Maya peoples in the Yucatán Peninsula and Guatemala. These spirits are often described as being only knee-high, looking like tiny Maya people dressed in traditional clothes.

People believe aluxes are usually invisible. However, they can choose to become visible to talk to humans, play tricks, or gather together. They are often linked to nature, like forests, caves, stones, and fields. But, people can also encourage them to live in a certain place by leaving offerings. Aluxes are a bit like other small, mischievous spirits found in different cultures, such as the leprechaun from Celtic stories, because they also enjoy playing tricks.

What Aluxes Do

Some Maya people believe that aluxes come to life when a farmer builds a small house on their land, usually in a cornfield, which is called a milpa. For seven years, the alux is said to help the corn grow, bring rain, and guard the fields at night. They might whistle to scare away animals or people trying to steal crops.

After seven years, the farmer needs to close the doors and windows of the little house. This is believed to keep the alux inside. If the house is not sealed, the alux might become wild and start playing tricks on people.

Alux Houses

Some modern Maya people think that the small, single or double-story shrines seen in the countryside are actually kahtal alux, which means "houses of the alux." Even though their true beginnings and purpose are not fully known, these shrines are seen as special places for the spirits.

Dealing with Aluxes

Stories say that aluxes sometimes stop farmers or travelers and ask for an offering. If someone refuses, the aluxes might cause problems or even spread illness. However, if their requests are met, it is thought that the alux will protect the person from thieves or bring them good luck. If people treat aluxes with respect, these spirits can be very helpful.

It is also believed that it is not a good idea to say their name out loud. Doing so might call an unhappy alux from its home.

Aluxes and Other Spirits

The word "duende" is sometimes used to mean the same thing as "alux." A duende is a Spanish word for a supernatural creature, often like a goblin. Because aluxes and duendes are so similar, some people wonder if the Maya belief in aluxes was influenced by the Spanish or pirates during the 1500s. Pirates often came from places like the British Isles, where stories about faeries were common.

However, the Maya people themselves say that aluxes are the spirits of their ancestors or the spirits of the land itself. They believe these spirits existed long before they met people from Western civilizations.

Some old artworks from before Christopher Columbus arrived might show similar ideas to aluxes. But there is no direct proof that aluxes were part of Maya stories in the exact same way back then.

See also

In Spanish: Alux para niños