Huazolo, Oaxaca

8 inches long, painted wood

Though associated with the Tejorones Dance, Negritos are used in several dances throughout Mexico. The color black was associated with a number of powerful deities in the preColumbian period. When the Spanish conquerors imported African slaves to work in their mines and plantations, they were regarded by many of the local Indians as superhuman figures possessing magical powers. Negritos with this distinctive look (note the exaggerated lips) are made by several carvers in the coastal Mixtec area. This one is especially nice.

$275