Vejigantes

Vejigantes are folkloric characters from Puerto Rico that simulate monsters and they appear in local carnivals and other religious based celebrations. I wanted to actually make them creatures instead of people dressed as them.
There are mostly two distinct types of Vejigantes.

The ones made in Loiza, my home town, have a strong african influence, the heads are made out of coconuts, carved to allow mouths and eyes , horns whose quantity vary and teeth, and colorful jumpers with extra cloth, they walk and dance with arms stretched out so the extra cloth simulate wings.

The ones made in Ponce are made of paper mache, and the masks have snouts, pointy teeth, numerous horns and interact with the carnival goers with their inflated bladders (vejiga) props. People of all ages make and wear their colorful vejigante costumes in both towns.