Dominican Republic: Lechon (Piglet) Pepinero

Original to Santiago de Los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, and the only place in the world with this type of carnival mask. This is a colonial character, originally called “The Gatekeepers.” They would clear the path for either the plantation owners or the King and Queen during a stroll on the streets by cracking an 8’ to 9’ long whip against slaves’ backs. Nowadays, they open the carnival parade in Dominican Republic.