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The Mam is dressed in splendid new attire as part of his rebirth at the beginning of Semana Santa (Easter Week). His clothes from the preceding year are carried in a great bundle by the telinel to a point on the lakeside outside town and given a thorough washing upon three stones by members of the Santa Cruz Cofradía.

With reference to two colonial indigenous texts, John Pohl, a leading expert on the Mixtec codices, writes: "Throughout Codex Telleriano Remensis and Vaticanus A, deities are not only described for their supernatural properties, but detailed descriptions are given of costume attributes, as though dress was considered to be a significant part of the god's persona. Costume and regalia are even invoked in prayers to the gods."