Easter is coming soon which means there will be lots of Judas figures available in the mercados of Mexico. During Semana Santa or Holy Week, the paper mache artists of Mexico make giant (9-12 feet tall!) paper mache Judas figures that look like these miniature versions. Or they can look like the town villain, the town bad guy or even mayors or shop owners who are not respected by the gente. There will likely be images of the President, this year. He is almost universally hated in Mexico.

On the night before Easter Sunday, they are loaded with fireworks, hung above the street and then exploded with everyone in the neighborhood/town/pueblo/vicinity watching. It's their way of getting rid of the Judas figures in life...

Many people think they are devils because they have horns, but, technically, they are called Judas figures. The horns just add an extra level of impishness to them. These smaller versions (anywhere from 17"-20" tall) are also made of paper mache, come from Mexico City and inspire lots of questions and big smiles. 

Click on the photos to see our current collection. 

 

For other folk art, click here!