The traditional Mexican animal mask was made out of wood, coconut, clay, leather, or wax. Modern masks are made of all of the above and cardboard and paper mache. The masks were used in the celebration of La Danza de los Morenos from the Suchitlan Colima. The dance was performed on Easter, Santa Cruz day on May 3rd, and on Penocoast.
Eighteen dancers called the Los Morenos or the dark skinned, wore the animal masks. They would dance as a cat, dog, goat, coyotes, donkeys, rooster, and macaws as couples. The Mexicans believed that this would distract the Roman soldiers who were guarding Jesus tomb so they could get into his tomb and Jesus would be brought back to life.
The jaguar and and eagle masks were only worn by thoose in need of strength.
Eighteen dancers called the Los Morenos or the dark skinned, wore the animal masks. They would dance as a cat, dog, goat, coyotes, donkeys, rooster, and macaws as couples. The Mexicans believed that this would distract the Roman soldiers who were guarding Jesus tomb so they could get into his tomb and Jesus would be brought back to life.
The jaguar and and eagle masks were only worn by thoose in need of strength.