Boruco Tribal Mask Tiki Mug - by KinPottery
aka. Boruco Tiki Mug
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Tiki Mug Design
Boruco Tribal Mask Tiki Mug - by KinPottery
aka Boruco Tiki Mug in 2 collections
This more naturalistic face mask has a large nose and lips. It was made with lots of variants, including multi and single colors.
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.