Vejigante

Always present in Puerto Rican Fiestas, Carnavales and major celebrations (espcially in my hometown, Ponce, and where my extended family is from, Loiza). This is a character that wears a long sleeve, long pants, loose fitting unitard/jumper made with different bright and vibrant colors, and a bright, colorful mask with horns.

Vejigante is a word that stands for 2: Vejiga (bladder) and Gigante (giant). A cow bladder would be blown up, painted in bright, colorful patterns and used to make noise and as a weapon in colonization resistance times.

The Vejigante IS a figure of resistance to colonialism and imperialism.