A tradition which enlivens Mexico's history

They can be scary and mysterious. They are made of wood, palm or clay. Masks play a significant role in Mexican culture and have been used in celebrations for hundreds of years.

In an exhibition titled ‘Masks of Mexico’ at the India International Centre, as many as 33 Mexican masks are on display. These masks signify the diversity and rich heritage of Mexico and their use dates back to around 3,000 BC. They are an indigenous form of folk art which is also a means of employment in the country.

Read more about Mexican masks, as Melba Pría, Ambassador of Mexico to India, tells Metrolife about their historical and cultural relevance.
Excerpts:

What is the cultural importance of masks in Mexico?

Masks are an important part of Mexican traditional festivals and dances. These festivals can be held during Pagan and Christian holidays. As every town in Mexico has a patron saint with a special day every year, festivals can be held throughout the year. These masks are an important part of our traditional religious ceremonies like Dia de los Muertos (Day of the end-Mexican Holiday) and popular wrestling (Lucha Libre) in which heroes wear form-fitting masks that cover the entire head and are laced up at the back.

How many types of masks are displayed in the exhibit?

The 33 masks on display are mostly made from wood, palm, papier-maché (chewed paper) and clay. Depending on the region, they may feature additional materials like beads (Wexarika mask), antler bones (Cora mask) or boar tusks (Tiger mask). However, the masks on display are only a small sample of the universe of Mexican masks which can be made from leather, cloth, ceramic or metal.

How are these masks made?

These masks are handcrafted by artisans. The technique is as diverse as the styles of the masks. Many Mexican towns boast one or more artisans specialising in mask production, and occasionally, they are also responsible for carving figures of saints. Sometimes, the craft is passed down through multiple generations of artisans and other times, each dancer makes his own mask without being a specialist.  

Does mask making generates employment?

Towns which are famous for mask production or for holding festivals that feature masks may have an industry that caters to collectors and tourists. However, many masks makers can have another trade or job. Only selected communities — which have enough demand of masks — allow mask makers to devote themselves to the elaboration of these pieces. An example could be some towns in the state of Tlaxcala or the town of Chiapa de Corzo, where the dance known as ‘Dance of Parachicos’ is performed by thousands of dancers on the traditional January feast that has become a part of UNESCO’s Intangible Culture Heritage List. Incidentally, one of the most famous mask makers in Mexico is Antonio López Hernández. He specialises in Parachico masks.

What are the skills required in making these masks?

Making of masks involves a complex process that ranges from the selection of the piece of wood to sketching and carving. After this, they have to be strengthened so that it is comfortably worn by the dancers. However, beyond technical skill, traditional mask makers have detailed knowledge of all the customs of their community, their dance forms, and each of the characters that they depict. The mask maker is well respected in the community because of this wisdom.

What kind of themes run through these masks ?

Masks are essential for our traditional celebrations. You may find masks depicting ancient Aztec gods and interpretations of how the indigenous population viewed the European colonisers. In this exhibition, you can see the depiction of jaguars, a sacred animal for the ancestors. Through some of the performances in which masks are used, you can actually see the history of Mexico coming alive.

What do the characters in these masks portray?

There are myriads of characters depicted in Mexican masks. They are very powerful and can be scary, sometimes coquettish and sometimes playful. The scary ones can represent devils which refer to the process of Evangelisation and serve to introduce the concepts of good, bad and punishment.  Death is also a recurrent theme in masks. Mexicans have a very special relationship with death. It is more respected than feared.

The exhibition is on display at Main Art Gallery, Kamaladevi Complex, India International Centre, till July 31, from 11 am to 7 pm.