Sacramento exhibit features Guerrero's devil masks

By MARTÍN E. MARTÍNEZ / Vida En El Valle

(Published Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009 02:57PM)

SACRAMENTO -- Devil-masked figures are very representative of Mexican folklore and culture in general, and on Mexican Independence Day they take on an even greater significance.

According to culture and tradition, the devil masks were an essential part in the consummation of the Independence of México because allowed México to overcome the Spanish army through fear and clever strategy.

The Mexican state of Guerrero is perhaps the most representative of these figures, according to Fidel De la Puente, a sculptor from of Guerrero who is exhibiting his works at La Raza Galería Posada.

Especially for Independence Day, De la Puente made one of his devil creations using accessories brought from his native village in Guerrero including wood, goat and cow horns, sheep wool and paint.

"The figures of devils was the most important strategy that was used in Guerrero to overthrow Spanish army during the War of Independence, thanks to many Teloloapan indigenous people in that area who dressed as devils to instill fear in the Spanish soldiers," said De la Puente.

According to the artist, eight years after the start of the independence movement, the Spanish army had almost succeeded against the Mexican army, but the state of Guerrero was the last point in the nation where there was still a great resistance from Mexican troops.

"Pedro Ascencio de Arquícides, an ingenious strategist, asked his fellow rebels to dress as devils during the night and appear before the Spanish to frighten them. The Spanish felt so afraid that they could not defend themselves. Those moments were used by the 'devils' to take away weapons, food and money, so the Spanish army was gradually weakend," said De la Puente.

Teloloapan was a strategic point for the Spanish because there were large deposits of gold and salt, highly prized in those years.

Once the "devils" disarmed and weaken the Spanish army, México achieved independence in 1818 in a village called Iguala, which is located 40 minutes from Teloloapan.

Iguala is a town where independence was agreed upon with the famous embrace between Vincente Gurrero, a Mexican insurgent, and Agustín de Iturbide, leader of the Spanish army.

The victory has been celebrated annually in Teloloapan with the Devils Patriots feast, which involves dozens of youth dressed as devils. They vie for the best costume award.

"About 30 young participants create their own costumes and masks. This is not just a dance, it is a tradition that has been preserved through the last 200 years," said De La Puente.

This is the first time De la Puente displaying his work outside of México. The invitation to present his art in Sacramento was made by Larry Hoover, director of La Raza Galería Posada.

"I was in Guerrero two years ago and I was really impressed with the work done there. These masks are unusual and worthy of being displayed anywhere in the world," said Hoover.

The exhibition will continue through December at La Raza Galeria Posada, 1022 22nd St.