Felix Manuel Morel Rojas Explains Craft Behind Traditional Dominican 'Carnaval' Masks Just In Time For Independence Day [AUDIO]

Felix Manuel Morel Rojas, better known as "Manolo," lives in the barrio called "El Capotillo" in Dominican Republic. As we celebrate today the Domincan Independence Day, we had the chance to speak to him about his career designing and creating masks as well as decorating costumes for the national carnival. The carnival takes place in the month of February to celebrate what is this year's 171 years of Independence. Felix has been creating masks and elaborating costumes since 2002 but has been dressing up as what they call a "Diablo Cojuelo" since he was a child. Felix shared that now he only does costumes for himself but upon requests, he will elaborate on costumes already made because he focuses more on the masks, that he crafts by hand. Rojas creates roughly about 300 to 400 masks a year.

As most know, Dominican Republic is a tropical country and I was curious to know how they can wear these outfits that are heavy and so hot during high temperatures. Felix shared that the adrenaline and emotion over powers heat and the heaviness of the outfit. The carnival is a fun event in which not only the spectators are having fun enjoying the costumes and good music, but the people who dress up have a great time doing it as well. I asked Felix how does he feel about the people who think some of these costumes are devilish because most are evil looking and he stated, "Diablos Cojuelos was not invented in Dominican Republic, it was just words that were created and used but has no evil behind it or serve as any type of evil rituals".

"This is just part of the carnaval tradition and in no way is it tied to any act or thought of evil it is just for entertainment." Felix is proud to be Dominican, this is the country he was born in he shares and something that he can't deny and is the best thing that has happened to him. Below is Latin Times interview with Felix, who shared the creative process of creating these masks for Dominican carnaval while he is at this moment in Dominican Republic preparing for the National Carnaval in Santo Domingo. Listen to the whole interview in Spanish.