masks

"[Tourists] should not be afraid to take the masks that look like devils, because they have nothing to do with dances and witchcraft, it is something cultural." - Javier Loria, museum volunteer

types of masks

The pride of the Boruca people is their ornately carved, wooden masks. The masks come in many different varieties and styles, but authentic Boruca masks demonstrate an expert craft, passed down for centuries. In addition to the two most common styles: Diablo and Ecological, masks are made to look like jaguars, birds or a combination of the styles.

    Making a Mask

making a mask

Watch as local mask maker, Roy Morales, turns a piece of balsa wood into an ecological mask.

See more designs, the craft process, and a variety of traditional and non-traditional mask examples.

  • A hand-made sign welcomes visitors and community members to a local shop to purchase original masks and other exquisite crafts.
  • The ornate masks contain much detail and craftsmanship, and are typically made from balsa wood taken from trees located in Boruca territory.
  • After the balsa wood is carved, a Boruca man begins the painting process. Each mask contains unique colors, designs and paints.
  • In addition to masks, Boruca artisans create other crafts such as bows and spears. All materials are hand-selected and carved by villagers.
  • Inside the home of a Boruca craftsman lie various masks. Each mask is a unique design that celebrates the Boruca identity, as seen through the eyes of the conquering Spanish, who initially called the Boruca “diablitos” or “little devils” because they did not practice Christianity.
  • An ecological Boruca mask is displayed in the museum, featuring the designs of a leopard, a tropical bird and an indigenous man. Ecological masks feature nature imagery.
  • Boruca masks are either traditional or ecological. This traditional mask is like those that are worn in the Diablitos festival, where “little devils” fight off a bull to symbolize the Boruca fighting off invading Spaniards.
  • Here, a bull head mask is on display in the home of a Boruca craftsman. During the Baile de los Diablitos, the man wearing the bull head mask or “toro” represents the Spanish and is taunted and chased by the others.
  • Beautiful craftsmanship and colors make the handmade masks good wall decorations.
  • Because masks are so recognizable and important in the Boruca culture, images of the traditional designs are seen throughout the village. This painting is on the outside of one of the local bars.
  • Sitting outside of their home, two boys play with a cardboard mask, mimicking that of an authentic Diablitos mask.

more masks