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Features

The Mexican Doll Lele Is Currently Touring Saudi Arabia

Lele, the Mexican doll famed for traveling the globe, landed at the Arab News bureau in Riyadh with her long locks and button eyes.

Today and every day, the Embassy acknowledges the valuable contributions of women to our diplomatic work, including our local colleagues and the 1st female diplomat thatposts to. pic.twitter.com/nwJolExchj
— Embajada de México en Arabia Saudita (@Embamex_ASA) March 8, 2023

Lele is a rag doll from the indigenous Otomi people, who maintain and honor their culture via their arts, food, and festivals. She has long hair, a headdress made of brightly colored bows, and traditional attire.

Arab News in Riyadh has a rendition of the doll "Lele" that was a gift from the Mexican Embassy. Mexican Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Anibal Gomez Toledo remarked, “I would like to thank Arab News for giving Lele a place in their editorial home and keeping her ever-present in Riyadh.”

She went to "The Line" exhibition and took part in the Founders Day ceremonies last week. A young Saudi woman who recorded a brief video with her in Arabic and English presented her to the Saudi public. According to the embassy, Lele plans to visit other regions. She is also interested in discovering more about the neighboring nations, particularly Bahrain and Oman.

By NATALIE KEBBE

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Lele entered Saudi Arabia in February and walked around Riyadh with members of the Mexican embassy. During the #LeleInSaudi social media campaign, she was photographed at some of Riyadh's most well-known spots, including the Kingdom Tower, Masmak Fortress, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah's At-Turaif district. She went to "The Line" exhibition and took part in the Founders Day ceremonies last week. A young Saudi woman who recorded a brief video with her in Arabic and English presented her to the Saudi public. According to the embassy, Lele plans to visit other regions. She is also interested in discovering more about the neighboring nations, particularly Bahrain and Oman.

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Lele is the Otomi word for "infant," one of Mexico's 68 indigenous linguistic groups. She is a native of the Mexican municipality of Amealco in the state of Queretaro and was honored on April 18, 2018, as a part of the State's cultural heritage. The Otomies, the fifth-largest indigenous tribe in Mexico, are concentrated in the states of Hidalgo, Estado de México, and Queretaro. Lele's outfit is inspired by Otomi weavers and was created to draw attention to the achievements of indigenous women.

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The doll was a component of Mexico's public diplomacy campaign, which was launched in January throughout North and South America, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

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“Lele’s presence in Saudi Arabia is relevant as Mexico seeks to make visible the Mexican women, especially those of indigenous origin, and their contributions to the economy and the society,” Gomez Toledo said.