Madrid, Spain – Lukas Avendaño, a muxe from an indigenous community in Mexico, is bringing the vibrant cultural tradition of his people to Spain through a groundbreaking theatrical performance. Muxes are men who embody both masculine and feminine traits, traditionally assuming roles typically associated with women within their communities – a practice deeply rooted in Zapotec culture.
Avendaño, a choreographer, dancer, and community leader, exemplifies this tradition. He manages drinking water for his community of roughly 250 families, where five muxes reside, and teaches dance at the local primary school, integrating indigenous culture, identity, and musical traditions into his curriculum. He also cares for his 70-year-old mother, being the only one of his five siblings to live nearby.
The arrival of a muxe in the Spanish cultural landscape is significant, offering a unique perspective on gender, sexuality, and ethnicity. Mexican theatre researcher Antonio Prieto Stambaugh describes Avendaño as the only Mexican performer approaching his work with an “explosive confluence of gender, sexuality and ethnicity.”
Historically, muxes have been integral to the social fabric of their communities, contributing to education and embodying a spirit of freedom and acceptance. “If a man,a woman or a muxe are collaborating in their community,they are all well accepted,” Avendaño explains.”The muxes have historically contributed to the education of society and are a presentation of freedom, that each person lives and loves as they wish.”
Avendaño’s visit to Spain also serves as a platform to advocate for issues facing his homeland,including the search for missing persons,the protection of communal lands from exploitation by large corporations,and the cessation of open-pit mining concessions to foreign companies. He is a vocal opponent of private land ownership and accumulation, emphasizing the importance of social justice and respect for indigenous rights.