The Mask Aruba is the premier destination for discovering the ancient and rare art of Mopa Mopa, also known as Barniz de Pasto. This decorative technique, recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage, involves no paint or glue. Instead, artisans use resin from the buds of the Elaeagia pastoensis tree, which is boiled, colored with natural vegetable and mineral dyes, and then manually stretched into paper-thin films. These vibrant films are layered and heat-bonded onto hand-carved mahogany or cedar to create intricate, waterproof designs that have been a tradition of the Quillacingas people for over 2,000 years.
