Vejigante
A vejigante is a clown-like character in Hispanic Caribbean festival (eg. Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic....even in Trinidad, we call them blue devils or Jabmolassie) celebrations (mainly seen in Carnival time). Traditional colors of the Vejigantes were black, red, white, and yellow. Today, vejigantes wear brightly colored, ornate masks of all colors and a costume with bat-like wings. The term vejigante derives from the word vejiga (bladder) and gigante (giant), due to custom of blowing up and painting cow bladders.
The masks are linked to many traditional festivals that continue today, especially in Puerto Rico, in the cities of Loíza and Ponce.
The History of the Vejigante masks represents 11th century Spanish Moors during Carnival time in Puerto Rico and the spiritual battle between the Apostle James & Spanish Muslims (1700's). In the Caribbean the Jab Jab/ Jabmolassie can be compared to the Vejigante mask. The Jabmolassie/blue devils represents freedom of slavery on the the plantation. I find it quite interesting to learn how to make these traditional paper mache mask. For me, it seemed to be a secret to make these in the past, but not anymore.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vejigante
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wpteoh/4236058130/in/set-72157622996043993/
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/Caribbean/Caribbean%20Vejigante.htm
CARNIVAL IN PONCE
Want to know more about Vejigante? Click or copy/paste the links
http://www.flickr.com/photos/wpteoh/4236058130/in/set-72157622996043993/
http://www.masksoftheworld.com/Caribbean/Caribbean%20Vejigante.htm
