So Costa Rica and the Boruca people really, really inspired and touched me in a special way. The pride and respect they have for themselves and their land, and the lengths they've gone to keep it, really served as an inspiration to nurture and take care of my own heritage and places I love. I wanted to get a tattoo to honor and remember the experience by!

The Baruca are best known for their carved Balsa Wood masks depicting rainforest spirits. They use them for their yearly re-enactment of their defeat over the Spanish Conquistadors, in a ceremony called el baile de los diablitos (dance of the devils,) where masked dancers dressed as rainforest spirits fight another costumed person dressed as a bull who represents the conquistadors. The rainforest spirits always win.C:
This is the first of two styles, done in the 'devil' style. These are designed to be protective rainforest spirits, and are supposed to look angry and fierce. This one has: Palm leaves, orchids, and ginger around his head, a vulture on the right side of his face, an eyelash viper coming out of his mouth, and a hammerhead shark on the left side of his face. He has big tuskies. C:

For a clearer look at these masks, click here!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/franks.....hy/3803677949/