Mojigangas—the irreverent, extravagant giant papier mâché puppets that bounce and flounce thru San Miguel streets for public festivals and private events—are some of the most colorful characters of the town.
Moustached red-faced devils, white-faced skeletons, blushing brides, flirting mantilla-decked señoritas and even a blonde gringa with exposed breast are some of the oversized personalities that bring sanmiguelenses, and visitors, a healthy dose of self-effacing laughter.
The mojigangas were brought to Mexico by the Spanish conquerors around 1600, to cheer the religious festivities and represent venerated public figures.
The main purpose of the giant puppets, that usually represent women, devils and death, is to animate crowds and herald the procession that follows.
Each figure is 10 to 12 meters high and costs about 2,000 pesos to make.
Working from a mold of clay, gypsum or polyurethane foam, transform cardboard, recycled paper, sticky paste and wire into magnificent objects of popular art.
This weekend watch out for the latest spectacular creation—a “tarasca”—a giant serpent, used to represent evil in old religious festivities.
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