Through April 16, visitors to Selby Gardens have the opportunity to admire and purchase masks made by Indian carvers from Boruca, Costa Rica.
Their craft dates back to the days of the Spanish Conquistadors’ invasion. The villagers created "devil" masks to try to repel the Spanish after they learned the Europeans were Roman Catholic and terrified of the devil. Though the Indians’ ploy didn’t work, the Spanish "didn’t conquer their spirit," said Marilynn Shelley, interim director of Selby’s Center for Environmental Education.
Neftali Rojas Morales begins to paint a mask Sunday at Selby Gardens.
Years after the villagers had stopped carving the masks, one of the elders revived the art, she explained. "Now it’s getting to be a big part of their culture again."
Because of their concerns about the future of their rainforest, Shelley added, the villagers also began carving "shaman" masks to repel, figuratively, those who would destroy the rainforest. They use wood from balsa trees to make the masks, as those trees grow to maturity in three to five years, Shelley noted.
Dorothy Izmirlian takes a photo of a mask.
Close-up of a rainforest mask. The Borucans create three varieties of mask – one reminiscent of the "devil" masks used by their ancestors, one of a shaman protector of the rainforest and one combining elements of both. Photos by Rebecca Wild Baxter.
Francisco Rojas Morales dips a brush into his palette as Gail and Sarah Shumay watch him prepare to paint a mask. Photos by Rebecca Wild Baxter.
The Borucans also fashion their own tools. They are paid for their work; then, all profits from the sales go to Selby.
The exhibit has become so popular at Selby, Shelley noted – "People have started collecting [the masks]" – that some snowbirds make certain to time their visits with the period the Borucans will be in Sarasota.
This year, Selby also is selling raffle tickets for a mask. The 500 initially printed have been sold, Shelley said, so more will be printed. For more information, call the Gardens at 366-5731 or visit www.selby.org.