Mask Making in Puerto Rico

Vejigantes or paper mache masks worn during the carnival are the island’s most popular craft. Tangles of menacing horns, fang-toothed leering expression, and bulging eyes of these half-demon, half-animal creations makes these masks frightening, particularly at nighttime. During carnival time, masked revelers roam the streets in their bat-winged costumes either individually or in groups.

Ponce is the major center of mask making on the island. The masks are traditionally black, red and yellow in color, all symbols of hellfire and damnation. Nowadays pastels and other colors are also used. The vejigante sport at least two or three horns; however some of them are decorated with hundreds of small horns of all shapes and sizes. Masks can be simple or elaborate, and also depends on the character represented. El Caballero (the knight), los vejigantes, (the devils) los viejos (the elders) and las locas (the crazy women) are the four main costumed characters.

The origins of the mask and the carnival date back to medieval Spain and Africa. In the 17th century a processional parade in Spain intended to terrify sinners with marching demons so that the people may return to church. Originally the vejigante were demons that appeared at the festival for the patron saint, Santiago. In Puerto Rico the traditional of the demon parade was combined with the masked ceremonies of Africa as figures of resistance against colonialism and imperialism.