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Cultural Context

Contemporary Puerto Rican Vejigante mask.

Narrative

The Taíno are a historic indigenous people of the Caribbean. In the late 15th century, they were the principal inhabitants of Cuba, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Haiti, Puerto Rico and the Bahamas, who spoke a dialect of the Arawakan language. The maker identifies as having Taíno heritage.

Iconographic Meaning

The Taíno saw the sun as an important central figure in their religious beliefs. "Sol de Jayuya" is the name given by archaeologists to the petroglyph depicting the sun, found in the town of Jayuya. The artist's interpretation incorporates the horns shaped like rays of the sun. The semi-circular 'corona' signifies the religious aspect of the Catholic halo. Together the two symbols represent the duality resulting from the "discovery" of Puerto Rico by Columbus and the eventual conversion of Taino religious beliefs to Christianity.

History Of Use

For performances during Carnival in Puerto Rico or in Puerto Rican communities in the US. Based on Taíno iconography.

Description

Large Vejigante carnival mask of painted paper mache construction. Mask is of a bright yellow, red, and orange sun, with alternating long and short horns extending in a half circle around the head. Mask has a long wide nose, slit eye openings, and wide open mouth with three-pointed teeth; mouth outlined with red paint, teeth done in white. There are pronounced nostrils above centre of mouth, and thin ridges across forehead that connect to horns. Wavy painted lines extend from mouth towards horns; done in dark red and various orange shades. Short horns have wavy uneven edges; long horns are conical with protruding ridges that curl along the length. Gold-coloured semi-circular bar connects the five large horns near their midpoints. Hanging rod, made of plastic pipe, attached to back centre. Interior of mask is painted red; artist signature and date made, "2018 Roman" inscribed along left interior side.