TITLE: Chivo Mask
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Latin America
COUNTRY: Mexico
SUBREGION: Hidalgo
ETHNICITY: Otomi
DESCRIPTION: Chivo (Goat) Mask
CATALOG ID: LAMX031
MAKER: Unknown maker in San Bartolo Tutotepec
CEREMONY: Carnaval de Chivos
AGE: 1950s
MAIN MATERIAL: hardwood
OTHER MATERIALS: goat horns; goat leather & hair; paint; glitter; glue; iron nails; wire; dyed polyester ribbons; brass bells
The chivo, or goat, is a popular Carnival character in the villages of El Nante and San Bartolo Tutotepec, Hidalgo. Nearly all chivo masks have the same comical and half-sinister expression, twisted nose, lined face, and goat horns pointed upward. The horns are decorated with wires holding ribbons, bells, and tassels (in this case, partially restored later). Older masks like this one are painted with subdued colors, while newer masks tend to be brighter. At some point, the owner of this mask glued glitter to the outside, which over time flaked off.
