Tangerine Grin Diablico Sucio Devil Paper Mache Mask

Meet a little devil who is all grin and no bite. This Tangerine Grin Diablico Sucio mask is paper mache from Panama, with pointed orange horns striped in black, a white brow, yellow eyes, red cheeks and a wide red mouth with three white fangs. It is a small decorative version of the festival masks, made to hang on a wall and too small to wear.

Diablicos sucios, the "dirty little devils," dance every year at Corpus Christi on Panama's Azuero Peninsula, in towns like La Villa de Los Santos, Parita and Chitré. In red and black striped suits, clicking castanets, they act out the old story of good against evil, and St. Michael the Archangel wins in the end. They are called "dirty" because the stripes were once painted on plain cotton with plant dye and charcoal, and the colors ran as the dancers sweated. These dances are part of Panama's Corpus Christi festivities, recognized by UNESCO in 2021.

This mask was made for MolaMagic by José Gonzales of Chitré, one of only a handful of artisans in the region who make diablico masks. Each one is built up by hand from layers of paper, given its horns and fangs, then painted in bright colors, so no two are alike.

MolaMagic was founded by Janet Marie Brockman with a simple but powerful mission: to help artisans in Panama share their art with the world. All profits go right back into the artisan community, supporting education, medical care, land, tools, and daily needs. Buying a MolaMagic mask means you are part of that story too.

Material: Paper mache, paint
Made by: José Gonzales
Made in: Chitré, Panama
Approximate size: 8 inches high by 8 inches wide
Use: Wall decoration, too small to wear
Care: Dust with a soft dry cloth. Keep away from water and damp.
SKU: 22050806T