Boruca mask

Missy2004
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Boruca mask
Boruca mask

The history and traditions of Borucan masks began over 500 years ago, during the Spanish Conquest. 'Diablito' masks, or little devil masks were created and worn with the intent to scare the unwelcome invaders back to Spain. The conquistadors called the indigenous Borucans devils because they observed uncircumsized natives with faces of forbidding devilish images and other animal figures, therefore assumed that they worshipped the devil. The Borucan people feel a great sense of pride knowing that they were triumphant in keeping the Spanish from conquering their land and their spirit. Every year the annual 'Fiesta de los Diablitos' or 'festival of the devils', always December 30 to January 2, has traditionally occurred since the Spanish crusade of 1490-1500. The highlight of the festival is the 'Danza del los Diablitos' or 'the dance of the little devils', which is performed in remembrance of the Borucans' fierce resistance to colonization. The truer name of the festival should be the 'Festival of the Ancestral Spirits'. When the Spaniards arrived with advanced weapons, the Borucans only had animal spirits, such as the jaguar, to guide them. In homage to the spirits that aided them, today's intricate masks are carved and painted to represent these spirits, fierce animals, devils, and also images of the local flora and fauna of their country. The Borucans have become over the years very detailed relief carvers. Relief carvings have a flat back and the image carved in three dimension, obtaining unbelievable depths, all from one piece of wood. There are three distinct styles and each tells a specific story about Borucan culture. The first is the 'diablito' or 'devil' mask, the most traditional. The second is the 'ecologica', featuring animals and plants of the rainforest. These were originated by a new generation of artists concerned about the imminent threat of their culture due to the destruction of their environment. The third, 'combinados', are the metamorphosis of both the 'diablitos' and the 'ecologica', as they represent the blending of the traditional and contemporary styles.

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Taken on: February 10, 2022
Tags: Everybody's photos tagged with Kew gardens Kew gardens Everybody's photos tagged with kew kew Everybody's photos tagged with kew Orchid festival kew Orchid festival more » Everybody's photos tagged with Boruca mask Boruca mask « less
Sets appears in:   • kew and Chihuly Ex   
Camera: Nikon D7100, f/6.3, 1/320 sec, 45mm (=67mm), ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Nikon D7100
Lens: 18.0-140.0 mm f/3.5-5.6
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure Time: 0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length: 45mm (35mm equivalent: 67mm)
ISO: 500
Exposure Bias: 0 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Aperture-priority AE
Exposure Mode: Auto
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Gain Control: Low gain up
Sharpness: Hard
Color Space: sRGB
Software: Adobe Photoshop Elements 18.0 (Windows)
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