Editing Mask (section)

===Latin America===
[[File:Xiuhtecuhtli (mask).jpg|thumb|120px|right|Aztec mask of [[Xiuhtecuhtli]], c. 1500, of [[Mixtec]]-Aztec provenance]]

Distinctive styles of masks began to emerge in pre-Hispanic America about 1200 BC, although there is evidence of far older mask forms. In the [[Andes]], masks were used to dress the faces of the dead. These were originally made of fabric, but later burial masks were sometimes made of beaten [[copper]] or [[gold]], and occasionally of [[clay]].

For the [[Aztecs]], human skulls were prized as war [[Trophy|trophies]], and skull masks were not uncommon. Masks were also used as part of court entertainments, possibly combining political with religious significance.

In post-colonial Latin America, [[pre-Columbian]] traditions merged with Christian rituals, and syncretic masquerades and ceremonies, such as [[All Souls' Day|All Souls]]/[[Day of the Dead]] developed, despite efforts of the Church to stamp out the indigenous traditions. Masks remain an important feature of popular carnivals and religious dances, such as [[Moros y Cristianos|The Dance of the Moors and Christians]]. Mexico, in particular, retains a great deal of creativity in the production of masks, encouraged by collectors. [[lucha libre|Wrestling]] matches, where it is common for the participants to [[wrestling mask|wear masks]], are very popular, and many of the wrestlers can be considered folk heroes. For instance, the popular wrestler [[El Santo]] continued wearing his mask after retirement, revealed his face briefly only in old age, and was buried wearing his silver mask.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/elsanto2.html |title=Spotlight on El Santo |publisher=Professional Wrestling Online Museum |date=5 February 1984 |access-date=30 May 2014 |archive-date=21 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421104627/http://www.wrestlingmuseum.com/pages/wrestlers/elsanto2.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>Lommel (1970), chapter: "South America/Central America".</ref>