Every year Luzon hosts one of the least-known carnival festival named ‘La Fiesta de los Diablos y Mascaritas’ (Festival of Devils and Masks).
During the festival of the devils, local men paint their faces with oil and soot, don horns and cow bells to transform into devils.
The origin of this ritual is not clear. The first details of the festival date back to the 14th century.
The preparation of the devils is a ritual. Firstly, covering their faces and arms with a protective cream for their skin. Next, they spread their face and hands with a mixture of oil and soot that they maintain until the end of the day. Once daubed in black, the devils put on a huge carved teeth in potato.
Along with the devils, the mascaritas make an appearance. They are people dressed up in traditional costumes, toquillas, colourful skirts and a white cloth that covers their faces.
The devils are forbidden to soot these characters. In case anyone forgets the tradition, the mascaritas carry a cane with which they will beat the devil to make him remember that they are untouchable.