Sierra de Puebla, State of Puebla

7 ½ Inches, painted wood

This mask is an undanced example of the typical Santiaguero mask from this region, with red face, gold painted features, and a prominent pointed nose. Although the character wearing this mask is called a Santiaguero, as if he is already one of the followers of Saint James, he is instead one of Santiago’s opponents- essentially a Moor. However, in a rather free translation of history that is not uncommon in Mexican masked dances, all enemies of Christ appear to be interchangeable, so Santiago finds himself in conflict with Pilate himself, and Pilate’s general- Sabarius. In the course of the dance drama, these enemies are defeated and converted to Christianity, becoming true followers of Santiago in the end.

The features of these masks are meant to reveal the negative qualities of the character; such as these long phallic noses to suggest lechery, evil grins to suggest malice, and so forth. In a book edited by Janet Brody Esser- Behind the mask In Mexico, there are some wonderful dance photos from Cuetzalen on pp. 196-7, which reveal Santiageuros interacting with Santiago.

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