TITLE: Zangarrón Mask
TYPE: face mask
GENERAL REGION: Europe
COUNTRY: Spain
SUBREGION: Castilla y León
ETHNICITY: Spanish (Iberian)
DESCRIPTION: Zangarrón Mask
CATALOG ID: N/A
MAKER: N/A
CEREMONY: Fiesta del Zangarrón
FUNCTION: Adult Initiation; Celebration; Protection/Purification
AGE: N/A
MAIN MATERIAL: leather
OTHER MATERIALS: N/A
The Fiesta del Zangarrón is a tradition of the Zamora region of Spain, specifically the town of Sanzoles del Vino, where the festival is held every year around Christmas time (December 25).
The Zangarrón wears a circular mask of red or black leather, which is very large and must generally be held on the face, and a colorful suit with ribbons and cowbells. He also carries a staff or pitchfork to which three inflated pig bladders are tied. The function of Zangarrón is to drive away evil spirits. The festival begins with the Zangarrón, who is not yet masked, guarding a group of dancers with a drummer. The dancers are teenagers reaching the age of majority that year. If anyone tries to break into the dance, the Zangarrón attacks them with a whip.
The next day, the Zangarrón dons the characteristic costume and mask, and the image of the patron saint of Sanzoles, San Estéban, taken in procession around the Plaza Mayor accompanied by the dancers. A group of attackers is assigned to harass the procession, making noise with cowbells. The Zangarrón drives them away to allow the procession to continue. Afterward, the dancers and Zangarrón separate, with the dancers going door-to-door wishing each occupant a happy Easter (though it is months away), while the Zangarrón goes to other houses and silently presents a sack in which each villager is expected to deposit an aguinaldo (monetary Christmas present). They then celebrate with a communal meal that must be held silently. Finally, hte Zangarrón takes a final tour of the village, presenting his sack to all bars and cafés.
The Museum’s collection does not include a representative Zangarrón mask, as only one is used in Sanzoles.
