Close Encounters with Vejigantes in Puerto Rico
Updated on October 6, 2025 by Meg Pier
Vejigantes are a beloved Puerto Rican tradition: vividly-painted and fierce-looking masks, used in the celebrations of Ponce’s Carnival.
For only $12 per month, get access to 160 first-person accounts of different cultures in 30+ countries and 15 different categories from archaeology to visual arts. Enliven your homeschool curriculum with amazing stories that celebrate our unique differences and shared human condition!
Unlock with Patreon
Fantastically interesting and great/useful links
I am delighted you found this piece interesting and useful! The vejigantes are a wonderfully rich tradition!
Hi! Excellent info! Do you know if there are any vejigante galleries or studios you can visit in Ponce? Or around PR.
Meg,
Thanks for your interesting items. I am a Bropklyn born Boricua in NYC and met several mask makers in 1999 that you featured.
There may be a typo in the book cover leading to your articule. It read”Puerto Ricos Vigilantes…not vejigantes. Please explain.
Peace,
Angel Roman