Venado

Venado (or maaso in the Yaqui language) represents the deer in La Danza del Venado, a traditional folk dance and ritual of the Yaqui and Mayo people of Mexico, which has changed very little over time. This dance is an enactment of a deer hunt. Originally, La danza del venado was performed by the Yaqui and/or the Mayo people the night before a hunt to ensure its success. The deer dancer wears little more than an elaborate mask imitating a deer head, a belt made from deer hooves around the waist, gourds in his hands, and rattles on his ankles to accompany his movements. Venado was completed in 2007, is approximately 17 inches tall, and was carved out of 3 main blocks of balsa wood and several additional wood segments. It's painted deep blue and silver. The silver detail symbolizes the blood of the dying deer as it fights to prevent the hunters from capturing his soul.