A 2000-year-old lost art
The Mopa Mopa masks line the walls- faces decorated with stripes and flowers streamlined with hues of crimson, muted blue, and golden yellow. The expressions the mopa mopa masks wear are countless – staring, frowning, and grinning- their mischievous eyes waiting to tell a story.
The Mopa Mopa masks give the store its name and they represent a culture, a tribe and a tradition. Though the striking handmade masks appear painted, they are actually coated with naturally coloured tree bud resin. The Quillacingas tribe and their descendants have been using the same process over 2000 years.
In the 19th century the mopa mopa art was the most appreciated and costly art in the world. However, during the Independence war this art deceased after half of the tribe was deprived of its existence and thus also most of the artists were killed.
This Mopa Mopa art goes from generation to generation. The symbols and colours are the same as our ancestors used in their time. Nowadays the young generation is learning the techniques and secrets behind this amazing art.
This art is only sold in Aruba. The stores showcase intricately carved animals, figure, gods, totems, vases, murals, and stunning jewellery.