Masiaca, Sonora, Mexico

7 ½ Inches (excluding hair), torote Prieto wood, horsetai. Undanced.

This mask was carved by Francisco Gamez Piña, a Yoreme (the name the Mayo Indians call themselves). It was probably carved in the last 10 years. He is a major contemporary carver among the Yoemem (plural), and his masks are frequently danced in fiestas. When I visited the area for Holy Week, in 2006, I saw several dancers who were wearing his masks. His masks are nicely carved, carefully painted and he makes the backs very smooth so as to be comfortable for the wearer. Francisco is one of those carvers whose masks have been brought to cities such as Tucson or Santa Fe, for sale to collectors, for many years. Ironically, this practice has permitted Yoeme/Yaqui pascola dancers in Tucson to buy and use his masks there, after cutting the brow hair shorter, in the Yoeme fashion. This goat mask may seem very simple in form, but to my eye it is very elegant. I haven’t seen many Gamez masks of this design.