Xantolo Mask

Hidalgo or Veracruz

9 inches, painted wood

Xantolo means All Saints Day or Day of the Dead. In addition to the skull masks, masks depicting humans and other animals are frequently used. The dance traditionally has two parallel lines of dancers, all males wearing male masks, plus one male wearing a female mask, and one dance leader. In many places there are dances of this form that are called Matachines. The Xantolos dance to vigorous tunes played on the guitar and fiddle. The singers frequently use falsetto voices. These songs are called Sones Huastecos. Some Xantolos go house to house as supplicants.

Old and well used, this simple mask was probably made by a poor farmer with limited carving skills. It was painted at one time, but most of the color has worn off.