Caiman Dance Costume from Guerrero

Description

Caiman Dance Costume from the Balsas River area in Guerrero.
The Caiman Dance was danced in four towns in Guerrero was discontinued in the 1960's. According
To Cordry in his book Mexican Masks "The Caiman, who, like the shamanistic hunting gods, is both the destroyer and the give of life.  His role as menace derives, at least in part, from real life, in that he eats the fish that these people depend upon.  He is transformer int a symbol of abundance through the Caiman Dance, in which he is "caught" by the village fisherman and thus assures good fishing for the year to come." 'Mask is 10" x13" and the costume is 56" x 56". Spines from the Pochote decorate the mask as well as the suit which are similar to the spines on the back of the Caiman.
Mask is a heavy hardwood.  Very rare piece.