Negrito Mask

The meaning of the name- Tejorones has apparently been lost among the Mixtec Indians, although Tejone refers to a wild animal and Tejonero to a hunter. There are a number of different dances, varying from one town to the next, that are all included under the category of Tejorones.

In the town of Huazolotitlan/ “Huazolo”, the Tojorones are Negritos, black faced farmers who with their livestock are menaced by a jaguar, they must hunt and kill the marauder, assisted by a hunting dog, in the process they drink too much and behave badly, behavior that is often the subject of dances during the period of Carnaval.

This danced mask is worn by the foreman of the Negritos, the other Negritos wear masks that are half black and half white. It was carved by José “Che” Luna, a Mixtec Indian.

$350