Mexico's first Indigenous Supreme Court chief justice in more than a century is leading a rebellion against judicial robes, which he plans to shun in favor of ancestral clothing.
Hugo Aguilar, a member of the Mixtec Indigenous group, was propelled into the key position in June 1 elections -- contests that made Mexico the world's only nation to choose judges at all levels by popular vote.
The constitutional law specialist was a legal advisor to the Zapatistas in 1994, during negotiations with the government following an armed uprising by the now demobilized guerrilla group.
He has said Mexico's native peoples are owed a "a significant debt," and vowed to wear traditional Indigenous clothing in court.
"I'm proposing not to wear a robe," he said in an interview with Mexican media.
"I'm going to emphasize this change: there is an Indigenous person in the court and we will wear the formal attire of the Indigenous peoples and communities," he added.
Judicial robes have been used in the highest court by presidential decree since 1941, but the ruling Morena party -- which Aguilar is close to -- is preparing reforms to allow alternative attire.
Aguilar will take office on September 1, becoming Mexico's second chief justice of Indigenous origin.
The first was Benito Juarez, considered the father of modern Mexico, who briefly headed the top court before becoming president in 1858.
- 'It's our turn' -
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has European roots but is known for wearing Indigenous embroidery, has given the anti-robe rebellion her blessing.
"A good judge is not defined by a cap and gown but by their honesty, knowledge and how they apply justice," she said.
Aguilar, like Juarez, is from the southern state of Oaxaca, one of the country's most culturally rich regions, renowned for for its textiles and handicrafts.
Several decades ago, politicians began to publicly wear Indigenous attire such as shirts adorned with traditional embroidery, according to local artisans.
Irma Pineda, an Indigenous Zapotec poet and local legislator in Oaxaca, welcomed Aguilar's stand against robes, but said she hoped for more action than words.
She told AFP she wanted to hear from Aguilar "that there will be justice for Indigenous peoples."
Around 20 percent of Mexicans identify as Indigenous.
During his campaign, Aguilar proclaimed "it's our turn" and denounced the "exclusion and abandonment" of native peoples.
Pineda said she would watch closely how lawsuits filed by Indigenous communities against government projects such as the Maya Train tourist railroad would be dealt with by the top court.
"It will be interesting to see what his position will be in the Supreme Court when these issues have to be addressed," she said.
Salvador Maldonado, spokesman for the Oaxaca Textile Museum, said he hoped Aguilar would make "ethical" use of Indigenous garments, many of which have a deep ceremonial significance.
It was important "not just to see it as an isolated piece (of clothing), but as a heritage that's actually being used," he said.
Graciela Santos, a Zapotec woman from the community of Santo Tomas Jalieza, hopes the Supreme Court will serve as a showcase that boosts sales of the traditional clothing she makes.
"That way, people would wear more traditional costumes and maybe buy a little more," she said.