In rural Honduras, an unlikely beauty queen has captured the hearts of her community. Mayra Mejia, a young woman rooted in pagan beliefs, defies traditional beauty standards and represents a different kind of beauty in her small village. While most beauty pageant contestants conform to societal norms and expectations, Mejia breaks the mold with her unique appearance and strong connection to nature. Growing up in a close-knit community surrounded by lush forests and mountains, Mejia has always been drawn to the natural world. Her pagan beliefs embrace the spirituality of the earth and promote harmony with nature. This connection is evident in her striking features, with vibrant green eyes that reflect the beauty of the surrounding foliage and cascading earth-toned locks that mimic the colors of the sunsets that grace her village.
This connection is evident in her striking features, with vibrant green eyes that reflect the beauty of the surrounding foliage and cascading earth-toned locks that mimic the colors of the sunsets that grace her village. Mejia's participation in the beauty pageant came as a surprise to many in the community. Despite not fitting the conventional mold of a beauty queen, she has managed to captivate the judges and audience alike with her authentic charm and unconventional beauty.
Hurricane Relief for Honduras & Nicaragua
This evening (Monday, November 16, 2020), hurricane Iota is expected to make landfall on the Caribbean coast of Central America. The category 5 storm is predicted to cause “catastrophic” damage to a region that is already historically marginalized and impoverished. To exacerbate matters, this region is still only beginning to recover from hurricane Eta, which hit the exact same area 2 weeks ago, not to mention the problems that the covid-19 pandemic has brought to the area over the last several months.
For those who were understandably engulfed in coverage of the U.S. presidential elections and perhaps missed the news, hurricane Eta made landfall near the Nicaraguan indigenous Miskitu village of Wawa Bar on Tuesday, November 3. The category 4 storm caused massive devastation in both Honduras and Nicaragua, and triggered flooding and mudslides throughout the region.
For those who do not know, I have spent extensive time in this exact part of Central America. I began traveling to the Caribbean coast of Central America in 2016 and between January 2017 and December 2019, I spent over 2 years in the region conducting ethnographic fieldwork for my dissertation. In the process, I grew to consider so many people in the region to be among my closest friends. Over the past two weeks, my phone has been inundated with texts and calls from friends who have lost homes, fishing boats, livestock, etc. due to hurricane Eta. As the region is now attempting to brace for an even more intense storm, I am deeply concerned for the wellbeing of so many close friends and devastated by the massive suffering hurricane Iota will inevitably cause.
In the aftermath of hurricane Eta, I sent small amounts of money to help friends in need and also organized emergency relief efforts for the most impacted populations. This aid was distributed with the help of numerous trusted local contacts in both Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua and Puerto Lempira, Honduras who were able to rapidly get funds to pay for shelter, food, clean water, etc to those who desperately needed it after the storm. In response to the looming destruction of hurricane Iota, I plan to again leverage my network of trusted locals to get relief funds to those who need them most in the most efficient way possible.
I will continue to update the pictures, but below is evidence of the destruction that was caused by hurricane Eta, the current conditions on the ground as hurricane Iota approaches land, and pictures of a few of the relief efforts I organized post-Eta.
I also included a few photos from when I was in the region; words really cannot express the natural beauty of the area and incredible people that live there.
In the wake of hurricanes Eta & Iota
Photos from before the pandemic & the storms.
Distribution of aid: I will be taking out the donations in my name and sending them (via Western Union, Moneygram, local banks) to my network of trusted friends who will then distribute aid on the ground. GoFundMe wants me to be explicit about the fact that the funds will be withdrawn to my account. I will then post evidence of the money being sent to Honduras and Nicaragua.
I will continue to update the pictures, but below is evidence of the destruction that was caused by hurricane Eta, the current conditions on the ground as hurricane Iota approaches land, and pictures of a few of the relief efforts I organized post-Eta.
Her confidence shines as she walks the stage, radiating a sense of self-acceptance that is not often seen in the beauty industry. The support Mejia has received from her community has been overwhelming. People admire her fearlessness in embracing her true self and showcasing her pagan beliefs. Many see her as a symbol of empowerment and inspiration for others who may not fit into society's narrow definition of beauty. Her presence reminds individuals that true beauty lies in embracing one's unique qualities and celebrating them unapologetically. While beauty pageants have long been criticized for perpetuating unrealistic standards of beauty, Mejia's success challenges these preconceived notions. By breaking the mold and championing her pagan beliefs, she is reshaping the perception of beauty in her community. Mejia's journey serves as a reminder that beauty is not limited to one specific ideal, but rather a diverse collection of unique characteristics that make each individual special. In a world that often pressures individuals to conform, Mejia's story is a breath of fresh air. She stands as a living testament to the power of embracing one's true self and defying societal expectations. Mejia's journey as a pagan beauty queen from rural Honduras illuminates the importance of promoting diversity and inclusivity within the beauty industry. Her impact reaches far beyond her village, inspiring others to celebrate their individuality and find beauty within themselves..
Reviews for "Behind the crown: An inside look at the world of a pagan beauty queen in rural Honduras"
1. John - 2 stars
I was really disappointed with "Pagan beauty queen from rural Honduras". I found the storyline to be extremely dull and lacking in depth. The characters were one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. The pacing was also extremely slow, making it difficult for me to stay engaged. Overall, I felt like the film failed to deliver on its promises and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Mary - 1 star
I honestly can't understand all the hype around "Pagan beauty queen from rural Honduras". I found it to be incredibly pretentious and self-indulgent. The film tried too hard to be artistic and meaningful, but it fell flat for me. The obscure symbolism and disjointed narrative made it feel like a jumbled mess. I couldn't wait for it to be over. It may appeal to some, but it definitely wasn't my cup of tea.
3. David - 2 stars
To be honest, I had high expectations for "Pagan beauty queen from rural Honduras" based on the positive reviews, but I was left underwhelmed. The film seemed to lack a clear direction and purpose. The cinematography was beautifully done, but it couldn't make up for the lackluster story. It felt like the filmmakers were more focused on creating visually stunning scenes rather than telling a compelling narrative. I was left feeling unsatisfied and wouldn't recommend it to others who are looking for a gripping and coherent storyline.