Arts of the Southwest Series
Masks of Mexico: The Art of an Enduring Culture
DVD: $19.95
Masks of Mexico takes viewers to rarely seen gatherings in remote villages where masked dancers are still an essential part of fiestas that celebrate and sustain community life. This program explores the vital role these colorful masks play in some of Mexico’s most treasured cultural and spiritual traditions — Day of the Dead, the feast of Corpus Christi and winter celebrations.
The video traces the history of ritual masks, beginning with Aztec priests and warriors, and explores the influence of Spanish friars who used masks to spread the teachings of Christianity. The result is a vibrant blend of indigenous and European traditions that gives this art form its distinctive flavor.
- As seen on public television