Morione mask

Marinduque, Philippines

19 inches, painted palm wood, bristles, hardware

There are five towns on the isle of Marinduque, just south of the main island of Luzon, that celebrate Lent with a passion play in the streets. Masked men march around town for the entire week in a drama that portrays the search for Longinus, a Roman centurion who was blind in one eye. Longinus’ pursuers are actually penitents who don colorful masks with helmets, usually made of wood or papier mache by skilled craftsmen in the Western European Catholic tradition. The face part flips up so it is easier to place on the head. There are openings for the eyes, nose and mouth. The word "Morione" means the mask-like visor on a Roman legionnaire’s helmet. These masks are part of the rich Spanish Colonial tradition you find in Mexican masquerade.

SOLD