Diablo Umo mask

Quechua people, Ecuador

26 inches, colored fabrics

Worn by dancers during the Inti Rymi celebration of the summer solstice, these masks slip over the head and have 2 sides so the dancer can never be surprised by the devil. Dancing begins the night of the summer solstice and continues until the dancers drop from exhaustion. After a brief rest and more drink, the dancing continues. Unlike carved wood masks, Diablo Umos are rarely sold to tourists and are hard for collectors to find.

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