This paper attempts to classify, according to genres of danzas,
the collection of Mexican masks at the National Museum of
Ethnology, which now includes part of the former Cordry
Collection. The classification schema is as follows: 1) animistic
masks including devil, caiman, and tiger masks; 2) masks related
to pre-Hispanic gods; 3) those for the Morosy Cristianos; 4) masks
for morality plays; 5) carnival masks; 6) masks for Holy Week
celebrations; 7) those for All Saints' Day rituals; 8) death masks;
9) payaso masks; 10) masks which function as musical instruments;
11) masks for the danzas related to occupations; 12) unknown
masks; and 13) decorative masks (mentioned in the concluding
remarks). Each of these indices are subdivided, and the major
iconographic characteristics of the masks are commented on,
emphasizing the visual imagination of folk society.