What are the 'muxes' in 'El secreto del Río': this is the new Mexican series on Netflix that is a success in Spain

The success of series like Who Killed Sara and Accident shows that Mexico has found a good formula to attract and engage audiences from outside its borders. The latest to arrive and sweep audiences off their feet is The River's Secret, which premiered on Wednesday, October 9 on Netflix and is already at number one on the most viewed series in Spain.

Like the other two mentioned titles, there is also a mystery here. The series follows Erik and Manuel, two children from a small town in Oaxaca who form an unlikely friendship that is tested when they are the only witnesses to an unexpected death. A secret that forges an unbreakable bond between them.

The secret they share from that summer makes their friendship unbreakable because their safety and survival depend on it never coming to light. Two decades later, when they are adults, their paths cross again as they both try to overcome their traumatic childhoods.

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Now they are Erik and Sicarú, a 'muxe', who identifies as a woman. Their great secret from the past and the problems of their present will be the ultimate test of this friendship.

The eight-episode series The River's Secret, starring Diego Calva and Trinidad González, was created by Alberto Barrera (Nothing Personal), co-directed by Ernesto Contreras (I Dream in Another Language), winner of the Sundance Award, Alba Gil (Triptych) and Alex Zuno (I Have to Die Every Night).

Trinidad González and Diego Calva (Bird Box Barcelona) are joined in the cast by Jorge A. Jiménez (The Black Demon), Mercedes Hernández (The Good Girls), Teté Espinoza (Where the Tracks End), Fernando Cuautle (Heroic), Iazua Larios (Besieged: Mexico) and Humberto Busto (Diablero), among others.

What are the 'muxes'?

In The River's Secret, there is a key element highlighted by the term 'muxe', which refers to the gender that defines a person who is male and assumes female roles in any of the social, sexual, and/or personal spheres.

This cultural and social group belongs to the Zapotec community, originating from the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region in Oaxaca, Mexico, and they are considered a 'third gender' as they do not fully identify as men or women, although they are generally born male.

The muxe identity is unique and deeply rooted in the indigenous culture of the region. They take on gender roles that can be both masculine and feminine. They may wear traditional women's clothing, adopt behaviors considered feminine, and perform functions often associated with the female gender in their culture.

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However, this does not mean they are simply men dressed as women. Their identity is complex and recognized as valid within their community.

In the Zapotec culture, muxes are generally accepted and respected. They often hold an important place in society, acting as mediators in conflicts and participating in religious ceremonies and family events.

It is important not to confuse the muxe identity with Western concepts of gender, such as transgender or non-binary people. Although there are similarities, the muxe identity has a cultural and social meaning that is specific to the Zapotec community.

*This article has been automatically translated using artificial intelligence.