Oaxaca’s Forgotten Rituals Are Shocking What Local Elders Refuse to Share

Wed, 06 May 2026 00:55:13 +0000

Oaxaca’s Forgotten Rituals Are Shocking: What Local Elders Refuse to Share Nestled in southern Mexico, the vibrant state of Oaxaca is renowned for its colorful culture, intricate cuisine, and rich indigenous heritage. Yet, beneath its celebrated surface lies a trove of ancient rituals—some so deeply rooted in tradition that local elders guard them fiercely, rarely sharing them with outsiders. Recently, a collection of harrowing and taboo rituals has emerged from Oaxaca’s hidden ceremonial spaces, sparking intrigue and controversy worldwide. What sets these rituals apart? They challenge conventional understanding of Oaxacan spirituality, blending ancestral wisdom with practices that seem shocking by global standards. From sacred human offerings whispered to mountain deities to secret nighttime ceremonies involving trance states and symbolic bloodletting—these rituals were preserved not for sensationalism, but to maintain sacred secrecy. Why do local elders refuse to share them? For generations, these ceremonies were passed down only within trusted family lineages and among elder spiritual leaders, known as mestisajes or ritual keepers. Their refusal stems from profound beliefs: some rituals must remain hidden to protect their power and spiritual integrity. Others fear exploitation or misunderstanding by those unfamiliar with Oaxaca’s deep cosmology. When outsiders probe too deeply, elders warn, the balance between the physical and spiritual worlds can be disrupted.