The creation of the vejigante mask is a tradition of Puerto Rican citizens. Worn during the Ponce Carnival, it's origins come from medival Spain where the vejigante represented the Moors vanquished by Saint James. In Puerto Rican culture, the vejigante gained a new cultural meaning under African and Taino tribes. The term vejigante is a combination of two Spanish words: vejiga (cow bladder) and gigante (giant). For the Ponce Carnival, Puerto Ricans create these masks using paper maché and an assortment of found materials. The masks contain the characteristics of the vejigante passed from generations. Their bright and colorful appearances are often complemented by the intimidating horns and teeth. While these masks might appear imposing and frightening to some, the connotation and celebrations are harmless. From a perspective, it's the cleansing of "evil" and purification of the Puerto Rican people. The masks vary based on the artistic skill and expression from each person; no two vejigante masks are the same.
