mask types

Diablitos mask

The Diablo mask is at the center of the festival for which Boruca is known (Juego de los Diablitos). While originally colored by natural dyes, today they are hand-painted to depict the "scary" faces of the indigenous tribe as seen through the eyes of the Spanish Conquistadors. The Diablo masks are meant to look sinister, while incorporating vivid colors and skilled design passed down through centuries of mask-making.

traditional

Ecological mask

ecological

The ecological, or cultural mask, incorporates both the traditional design and more artistic representations of the ecology of Boruca. Though less traditional, they are increasingly popular among tourists for their beauty and symbolism of a native in harmony with nature. They often include pictures of parrots or trees. The ecological masks are crafted from balsa or sometimes tropical cedar wood.