Senator sacrifices chicken to rain god to ask for rainfall — people are mad at him

The ritual, organised by one of the senators, sparked accusations of animal cruelty.

A recording of the ritual slaughter of a hen in front of the Senate building was shared on social media by journalist, Leticia Robles de la Rosa. According to local media, the animal was sacrificed to Tlaloc, the pre-Columbian rain god, to ask for rainfall. Mexico has been struggling with drought for many weeks.

The ceremony was organised by Adolfo Gomez, senator from the ruling National Renaissance Party (Morena). The Senate leadership dissociated itself from this action, emphasising that it did not allow Gomez to introduce "any animal" into the chamber.

The senator's action caused a wave of outrage. According to Mexican media, it also violated the law that explicitly prohibits the use of animals in traditional rituals. The Animal Naturalis organisation announced that it would report suspected animal cruelty to the prosecutor's office.

Gomez was also criticised by anthropologist, Marco Matias, who studies indigenous communities. According to him, the ritual was taken out of context and therefore became "absurd, incoherent and ridiculous." "They tore out a piece of culture," said Matias, quoted by the daily El Universal.

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Gomez defended his actions in an interview with the daily 24 Horas, claiming that the Constitution requires "respect for the practices of indigenous peoples."

When asked if he did not know the laws in Mexico City that prohibit cruelty to animals, he replied, "Of course I know the laws. How could I not know them when I am here, where they are made."

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This article was originally published on Onet Travel.