What do the vejigantes represent?
The origins of the tradition go back to 12th century medieval Spain. The vejigante represented the evil Moors who were defeated by St. James. People dressed as demons (vejigantes) in a procession thrown to honor St.
What three cultures are blended in the vejigante?
The Vejigante (Vay-he-GAHN-tay) is a fantastic, colorful character introduced into carnival celebrations in Puerto Rico hundreds of years ago. He is a classic example of the blending of African, Spanish, and Caribbean influences in Puerto Rican culture.
What is a Puerto Rican vejigante?
The vejigante is a demon figure from medieval Spanish folklore that has become a staple of Puerto Rican Carnival culture. During Carnival festivals, the vejigante dress in a horned mask called a careta, and flowing costume to join the crowds in singing and dancing. The careta masks are a cultural symbol of Puerto Rico.
What are the Puerto Rican masks called?
vejigantes
The vibrant vejigantes masks (called caretas) are green, yellow, and red, or red and black, and always look “scary.” Today, these whimsical masks are a cultural expression unique to Puerto Rico! They can be made from papier-mâché or coconut husks.
What do Los vejigantes do during parades?
One of the traditions of the Carnaval is the appearance of the “vejigantes”, which is a colorful costume traditionally representing the devil or evil. Vejigantes carry blown cow bladders with which they make sounds and hit carnival attendees throughout the processions.
What do Los Vejigantes do during parades?
What is the vejigante legend?
The vejigante is a folkloric figure who’s origins trace back to medieval Spain. The legend goes that the vejigante represented the infidel Moors who were defeated in a battle led by Saint James. To honor the saint, the people dressed as demons took to the street in an annual procession.
What do the vejigante masks represent?
The vejigantes represent either the devil in the battle between good and evil, or the Moors that Saint James fought during the Catholic Reconquista of Spain. The name originates from the Spanish word for bladder, vejiga.
What are Vejigantes made of?
In Loíza, the vejigante masks are made from coconut, whose cortex has been carved out to allow a human face. The eyes and mouth are carved out of the coconut with an addition of bamboo teeth. The costume is made of “a jumper” that has a lot of extra fabric at the arms to simulate wings.
What is Carnaval de Ponce?
The Carnaval de Ponce (English: Ponce Carnival), officially Carnaval Ponceño, is an annual celebration held in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The celebration lasts one week and it ends on the day before Ash Wednesday. It is one of the oldest carnivals of the Western Hemisphere, dating back to 1858.
What are the vejigantes of Puerto Rico?
Rich in culture and heritage, vejigante masks, St. James the Apostle and the cities of Loiza and Ponce play very important roles in the vejigantes of Puerto Rico. There are three major festivals in Puerto Rico.
What is the festival vejigante de Ponce?
The Festival Vejigante de Ponce is set in Puerto Rico’s second largest city. Every February prior to lent, the vejigante de Ponce takes center stage during the festival and the celebration is six or seven days in length. A vejigante mask made in Ponce differs from Loiza because it is made of paper mache.
Where are vejigante masks made in Puerto Rico?
The famed vejigante masks are made in the cities of Loiza and Ponce. Loiza was a small town in Puerto Rico populated by freed or escaped Africa slaves. Due to government neglect, it became a poor town.