Ulrike Buck

MAISON MÉNADES

Bucareli Act, parallel event of Zona Maco,
9.-14. April 2013, Mexico City

In Greek mythology, Ménades (Greek: μαινάδες, mainádes, litterally translated as "the raving ones") were the female companions of Dionysus. Often the maenads were portrayed as inspired by Dionysus into a state of ecstatic frenzy, through a combination of dancing and drunken intoxication. In this state, they would have complete control over the human species where they would make them lose all self-control, begin shouting excitedly, engage in uncontrolled sexual behavior and ritualistically hunt down and tear to pieces animals—and devouring the raw flesh or heart. During these rites, the maenads would dress in fawn and snake skins and carry a thyrsus, a long stick wrapped in vine leaves and tipped by a pineapple.