We booked a hike with the Oaxaca Lending Library that started at the beautiful Santa Ana Church in Zagache, rebuilt and painted by the renowned artist Rodolfo Morales of Ocotlan.

Our destination was three miles away to the little village of San Martin Tilcajete where most of the popular wooden alebrijes are carved and painted.

Our idea was to visit some of the workshops where these fanciful figures are made. This day, however offered a very different experience. It was Fat Tuesday for Carnaval, and San Martin Tilcajete was the place to be. Many of the workshops were closed and as we entered the town, people were lined up along the street. We could hear the chinck chinck chink of chains in the distance. And suddenly here they were, elaborate masks and bodies covered in black diesel oil.

You had to watch out. They would try to grab you and smear you with oil!

The day is centered around a “wedding”. The Bride wore white.

The Groom danced with a turkey vulture tied to his belt and which at various times was thrown up in the air flapping.

Death was an invited guest.

This beautiful redhead was in the wedding party.

Children were part of the scene.

This young man had so much oil on his body it was bubbling in the heat.

Cowboy boots.

Some of the masks were very elaborate and detailed.

This mask and body paint reflect imagery and techniques found on the alebrijes.

We did end up purchasing a couple of hummingbird alebrijes from these very nice women. It was an exciting day.