This anthropomorphic figure is to be found in every corner
of Mojacar, painted on the outside of buildings or forged
in iron and hanging on the interior walls. As an item of
jewellery or as a gift, it must surely be the most familiar
souvenir of this town.
The indalo has been used in Mojacar since distant times
when it was known as the Muñeco Mojaquero which the
first romantic travellers to the area had encountered painted
on houses. The inhabitants used leftover limewash to daub
the desing on the outside walls as a protection against
the evil eye and to preserve them from storms and other
natural disasters. It is believed to depict a god or spirit
supporting a rainbow in its outstretched arms.
As an important part of rural superstition, the sign was
attributed with magic powers and was a sign of good luck.
The archaeologist Juan Cuadrado believes that the antiquity
of the indalo stretches back as far as prehistoric times
and to the discovery of the cave paintings in the Cueva
de Los LEtreros near Valez Blanco. Another theory attributes
its origins to the Phoenicians, who came to our shores more
than three thousand years ago bringing their religion including
the worship of gods such as Tanit.
The graphic depiction of this goddess has many similarities
with the Indalo design. The Indalo design was adopted as
a symbol by the Almerian cultural movement led by Jesus
de Perceval, Eugenio D´Ors etc which took off in the
mid sixties and coincided with a number of artist and intellectuals
adopting the town of Mojacar as their new home.
The indalo, as a symbol of good luck, has existed in many
versions in ancient civilisations. But primarily, this figure
has become recognised, inside and outside this country as
a symbol of Almeria and especially, of Mojacar.
