Okay, I LOVE the Boruca Indian masks what can I say and a few more just ARRIVED. I actually bought the mask to the left and it's NOW my personal favorite.... until the next batch comes in....hehe
I mentioned this before, but the pics just don't do these masks justice. I wish I could fly each and every one of you out to Costa Rica so you could view them PERSONALLY.
But FIRST, I would like to wish everyone the BEST during this holiday season regardless of how you happen to CELEBRATE (or in my case, you don't)... and I HOPE next year is the BEST one EVER.
Just want to show you some more Boruca masks, but if you missed my last posting about the Boruca Indians, there's a more INFO and other masks HERE.
Boruca (or Brunka) Indian masks:
The 2 below can actually run a little more money as they're made out of cedar and carved by the patriarch himself, Ismael Gonzalez.
La Fortuna Costa Rica gets invaded by Boruca Indians and the Danza de los Diablitos (Dance of the Little Devils)
D'Angelo and myself fell in LOVE with the Boruca masks at first sight, but NOT just any Boruca mask, as some are MUCH better than others, but the ones from the Ismael Gonzalez family, and in particular the son, Melvin Gonzalez Rojas, which for our taste seem to be far and away superior in craftsmanship and detail from other Boruca masks we've seen (not sayin there's not others out there just as good....just sayin). Actually we collect Boruca masks... although we only have 2 since they cost a months rent for us. Funny, we're not even into 'masks' per se, but the artistry of these masks are just so AMAZING we couldn't resist.
FYI:The Boruca are an indigenous people living in Costa Rica. The tribe has about 2,000 members, most of whom live on a reservation in the Puntarenas Province in southwestern Costa Rica. You can find more INFO on the Boruca Indians on our TravelCostaRicaNOW site- HERE.
CHECK-OUT these Boruca Masks (the pics are GOOD, but still don't do them enough justice):
Love the vibrant colors in these Boruca masks.
Close UP of the top, left mask- CHECK OUT the detail.
Costa Rican wildlife is a popular theme found on many modern-day Boruca masks.
Frogs, such as the Poison Dart Frog, are also depicted on a variety of Boruca masks.
Another GREAT example of the detailed artwork that's put into these masks.
PRETTY SWEET HUH!
What I really dig about Boruca masks is that EACH one is UNIQUE even though the themes are similar.... What's that saying about a box of chocolates?
D'Angelo made this VIDEO some time ago about the Boruca Indian masks and it's DEFINITELY worth CHECKING OUT (you can get a glimpse of Melvin Gonzalez Rojas doing his thing:)