Southeastern NEWS

                                                       Southeastern Louisiana University
                                           Public Information Office
                                           publicinfo@selu.edu
                                           SLU 880, Hammond, LA 70402
                                           504/549-2341/fax 504-549-2061
    Date: 5/3/99
      Contact:                           Christina Chapple   56

MEXICAN INDIAN CARVINGS AT SOUTHEASTERN LIBRARY
     HAMMOND -- "Alebrijes," imaginative representations of animals and fantastic
creatures hand-carved by Mije Indians of Southern Mexico, will be displayed through May 10 at
Southeastern Louisiana University's Sims Memorial Library.
     The exhibit is hosted by Southeastern's foreign languages and literatures department,
College of Arts and Sciences and Sims Library and the Consulate General of Mexico and the
Mexican Cultural Center of the South.
     Following the natural shapes of pieces of local wood, the fanciful "Alebrijes"   animal
'twin souls'   are carved, painted and decorated with leather and other natural materials," said
Southeastern foreign languages professor Aristides Baraya, who organized the event. "It is the
belief of the Mije Indians that there are animals who share their souls with ours, and these
guiding animal spirits sometimes help us heal diseases of the body and soul."
     The exhibit can be seen in the second floor lobby during library hours, Mon.-Thurs., 7:30
a.m.-11 p.m.; Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and Sunday, 2-11 p.m.
                            - SLU -
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