180 Degrees Horizontal Rotation

Zapotec Mask

This is a Zapotec mask, made of carved and painted wood. The Zapotecs are from northern Oaxaca in Mexico. The Zapotec mask is different from masks from other regions because the Zapotecs used a different mask for each dance. In one dance, the dancers wear elegant black velvet with sequins and fringes, and brightly colored ribbons. The mask maker begins with the forehead and makes small openings in the mask. The openings are for the eyes, so the wearer can see. Zapotec masks don't have ears or hair. I like this mask because it looks very old, because I might be able to wear it, and because it has no hair and has a dent in its forehead.
         --Chas, Santa Clara Day School