#hayahuma

[ardefact]

The other day we learned about the huge street market in Otavalo, Ecuador called the Plaza de los Ponchos. The more photos we saw of it, the more we saw this weird, brightly colored mask everywhere. We needed to know more, so after more searching we learned that these masks depict the "huma devil", also known as the "diabluma" or "haya huma". The devil stuff is just because of catholic influence, but in the indigenous communities of the Pichincha and Imbabura provinces of northern Ecuador, haya refers to the light and dark powers of nature and huma means head. Ultimately, the huma devil or haya huma is connected with leadership and considered a spiritual guide who bestows the power of nature. As for the masks, they seem to cost around $5, which means we'll be buying plenty whenever we go to Ecuador. Photo by @bukas2012 !_________________________________________ #ardefact #regional #uncommon #rare #ecuador #ecuadorian #otavalo #market #marketplace #streetmarket #plazadelosponchos #humadevil #diabluma #hayahuma #devil #spirit #spiritual #guide #nature #power #mask #handknit #folkart

#marketplace #diabluma #spiritual #folkart #ecuadorian #otavalo #market #devil #humadevil #ecuador #power #nature #regional #uncommon #ardefact #streetmarket #handknit #spirit #rare #mask #plazadelosponchos #hayahuma #guide