The Mexican Indian, in his attempt not only to conceal
the face, but more extraordinarily to conceal the naked soul, has
created a unique universe of magical masks. For a few moments in
some frenzied dance or religious ceremonial performance, the magic is
born.
Masks are an element in the history of personal and cultural
expression. The function of the mask varies from society to
society. Some are used for religious purposes to this day. Others
are used for drama, dance and healing. Many cultures believe that
donning a mask reveals the true inner person and culture. This act
is, therefore, really an "unmasking". Others believe
that the wearer becomes the actual deity represented by the mask and
treat their masks ritually as religious objects.
Masks create magic, they enchant, they assume a life of their own.
They connect us with transformations and rituals, they release the
imagination and they reveal a universe of personalities.
To the Mexican Indian a mask is more than a disguise. It
functions as a means of contact with the spirit and protects the
community from the malevolence of the unknown and negative forces of
nature, while prevailing on the ancestors and the gods to bestow their
benevolence in all matters related to life.
In pre-Hispanic Mexico there were no all-evil or all-good entities; all
gods were dual, good and evil in one, like nature itself,
life-giving but also life-taking. The idea of one good god and one
devil is purely a Spanish import, and it is not unusual to find animal
masks other than cows bearing horns, which simply means that an animal
with already bad connotations like the boar, have the added horns to
signify Christian evil as well. Thus masks become an element of
utmost importance within the Indian world, providing the catalyst so
necessary to keep the required balance of power and fate in the ever
changing tide of life events.
Many masks depict a combination of human and animal features:
jaguars, birds, bats and alligators can be found lurking within the
humanized faces.
In some instances snakes, lizards and birds emerge subtly from the
nose and eyebrows, in others they are full blown entities attached to
the face and there are others in which it is almost impossible to
discern the animal from the human.
The large bearded or "barbones" faces are wildly expressive
masks, with angry bulging eyes and teeth bared in ancient testimony of
the wrath of the Spanish conquistadors. Fading paint on some masks
attests to their use and adds to their individual personality.
Tiger masks from Guerrero are particularly
attractive. They are used in the Tecuani dance of the
Jaguars--An ancient deity, the jaguar is lord of the jungle, master of
death and protector of life.
Masks are made of wood, metal, clay, stone and Huichol Indian beaded
masks. A few copper repousse´masks (hand hammered and painted or with
patina) can be found. Masks carved from alabaster stone, and
unique masks with inlays of turquoise and other native stones are
created in the tradition of the pre-hispanic craftsmen.
