In the 12th century, St. James the Apostle, the patron saint of Spain, was once believed in Spanish legend to have led the Catholic militia in the mythical Battle of Clavijo to victory against the Moors in 844.[1] By the 17th century, it was typical to see processionals in Spain in which vejigantes were demons meant to terrify people into going back to church.[3] In today's festivals, some contemporary artists and scholars believe that the vejigante is a figure of resistance to colonialism and imperialism.There is a yearly celebration in Barrio Playa, Ponce, that lasts three days called Carnaval de Vejigantes.[8] In 2024, Puerto Rican wrestler, Damian Priest, wore a vejigante mask during his entrance at Wrestlemania XL.
Illustration of a vejigante mask.
Vejigante masks on display in San Juan, Puerto Rico
