The Dancing Devils of Yare

Every year on the Thursday before Easter, in a small village south of Caracas called San Francisco de Yare (pronounced Yah-Reh), there is a very famous parade/dance of people dressed in red clothing wearing giant devil papier-mache masks. Although this holiday, what we call in Spanish Los Diablos de Yare, only happens in one place in Venezuela, it is one of the most cultural symbols of the country.

I have never seen the dance in person, and perhaps I've seen glimpses of it on television or tourism videos, but what I know is that the masks are everywhere. Everyone in Venezuela knows about this tradition. For example, I took this picture in the Venezuelan consulate office in New Orleans, LA, last year:

The actual masks are much more elaborate; these might be the ones that are sold as souvenirs anywhere in the country.

The New York Times posted a nice slide show with background music showing some good pictures about the dance and the masks, and there is also an article that includes the history and information about the most recent incarnation of the dance (You have to complete the free registration to read the article, but not the slide show).

So, now that you know what the Diablos de Yare are all about, if you're ever in Venezuela feel free to buy one of those masks from the souvenir shops, or if you're lucky, go see the dance in person. I actually don't have a mask myself, since it would be kind of a delicate process to pass it through the airport and all that mess.

Maybe I'll get one, someday.