Description

Dance of Diablada
Bolivia, late-20th cent.
Unpainted tin from recycled alcohol cans
22″ w. x 14 1/2″ d. x 23″ h.)

The devil, also known as “Tio”, resides in the depth of the horrible mines. The conquistadores inscripted the Indian men as laborers in the mines for silver, then tin, where millions perished. This was reinterpreted by the new Catholic Indians as the infernos of hell. Archangel Michael the rescuer fighting the devil and his temptress China Supay is the centerpiece of the annual dance festival known as the Diablada.