Description
The tradition behind this wooden donkey head
This colorful Animal Head was handcrafted and hand painted by group of carefully selected Colombian artisans. Carved out of Red Ceiba wood, this mask was later painted with acrylic.
The donkey is part of a group of animals that are considered an emblematic element of Barranquilla’s Carnival, that has been taking place in the city for more than a century. Animal masks are used in one of the most ancient dance of the festival: the dance of the Congos.
The wooden heads find their origin in the multicultural background of Colombia, and especially in its African roots. Indeed, African slaves brought together with them the tradition of their ritual masks. Animals they found in the region sometimes came to replace the African animals. They were integrated in the dance as a representation of the animals characteristics.
Toro Miura workshop
Carving and decorating these masks is one of the main and most traditional economic activities of the village of Galapa.
Toro Miura workshop, lead by Manuel Pertuz, has been existing for more than 30 years. and is well known for the quality of its masks.
This product is totally hand made and thus unique. Slight variations or imperfections are due to the traditional manufacture.
See our collection of Toro Miura animal heads.
