Careta de vejigante
The mask of the vejigante character, horned and painted in strong colors. In Ponce it is made of papier mâché with many horns, and in Loíza it is carved from coconut husk, and that difference identifies the origin at a glance. Accredited artisan pieces are signed and priced by size and number of horns.
Example
If the mask is carved coconut, it comes from the Loíza tradition rather than the Ponce carnival.
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Related terms
Culture
Vejigante
The masked character of Puerto Rican festivals, in a bright costume with many horns and an inflated bladder used to...
Festivals
Carnaval de Ponce
The historic carnival of Ponce, on the south coast, held in the days before Ash Wednesday. Its central figure is the...
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Fiestas de Santiago Apóstol
The festival of Loíza, on the north coast, held in late July and regarded as the liveliest expression of Afro Puerto...
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Santos de palo
Religious figures carved in wood by artisans called santeros, a tradition centuries old on the island. They are...
Frequently asked questions
Ponce or Loíza mask?
It depends which tradition interests you. The papier mâché one is brighter and lighter, the coconut one is rougher and heavier.
Will it fit in a suitcase?
Small ones yes. Large papier mâché masks are fragile and need to travel as carry on or well packed.
