Vejigante masks "la careta"
The Vejigante is a folkloric figure who's origins trace back to medieval Spain. The legend goes that the Vejigante represented the infidel Moors who were defeated in a battle led by Saint James. To honor the saint, the people dressed as demons took to the street in an annual procession.
The careta masks are a cultural symbol of Puerto Rico. The masks are typically made in the cities of Ponce and Loiza for use in carnival celebrations and purchased as home decoration by tourists.