Tonalá, Jalisco has been the land where Norberto Lucano Suárez has developed as an artisan, he was born in 1991 to an artisan family with a taste for craftsmanship as an inheritance. His father was a very well known artisan of pre-Hispanic figures in Tonalá, now deceased. Through him Norberto learned the basic principles of clay and how to model various figures, among them the tastoan dance masks. Norberto began his journey in the creation of Tastoan masks in 2001, and eventually was also able to participate as a Tastoán dancer in the group of Miguel Pila Galán. 

The Tastoanes de Tonalá is a Catholic feast and dance tradition in Tonala, Jalisco, Mexico that symbolizes the 16th century battles between the indigenous people and the Spanish conquistadors. The word "tastoanes" is an indigenous pre-Columbian word that means "leaders". The tradition involves masked dancers, known as tastoanes, who represent the indigenous people of Jalisco. The dancers wear thick, heavy cow-hide masks with fearsome expressions, primitive clothing, and wooden and leather shields. The masks are often decorated with tusks, fangs, and spots to represent smallpox and syphilis, and are painted with pigments that glow under ultraviolet light. The dancers also wear wigs made from horse hair or other fibers. 

Norberto made pieces for his friends involved in the dance of the Tastoanes de Tonalá. He loved this art, and was proud to be part of his culture and traditions. He began to participate in mask contests in 2009. In 2017 he started working for the Xcaret group, Mexico, where his works have been place in their galleries and halls of the park, located in the Yucatan peninsula. His pieces are exhibited in the United States (Arizona, Texas, California,) Argentina and Canada. His pieces are also used in the plays and bullfights of Tastoanes de Tonalá, Zalatitán, Santa Cruz, San Juan de Ocotán, Jocotán, and Santa Ana Tepetitlán.

Norberto says ¨So as long as God gives me life I will continue to contribute to my culture and traditions, typical of my Tonalá. This is what I am passionate about and my desire is to continue improving and learning in order to share my knowledge.¨ He currently works with 3 people in his workshop, including his son, the third generation.

Feria Maestros del Arte 2024

AWARDS

• 2010 Honorable mention in the contest of masks of tastoán of Tonalá.
• 2nd place in the parade commemorating the day of the artisan.
• 2015 First place in the contest of masks of tastoanes of Tonalá category played.
• 2015 First place in category of masks in the Grand prize of popular art of Mexico.
• 2015 Honorable mention in the contest of masks of tastoanes of Tonalá in the category played.
• 2017 First place in the contest of masks of tastoanes of Tonalá category played.
• 2018 Honorable mention in the contest of masks of tastoanes of Tonalá in the decorative category.
• 2019 First place in the contest of masks of tastoanes of Tonalá in the played category.
• 2022 First place in the contest of masks of tastoanes of Tonalá in the played category. 

ARTIST INFORMATION:

Cuitláhuac 73-A, Centro Tonalá. Jalisco

Whatsapp 33 32 48 61 63 

Edson3619@gmail.com

Facebook: Arte Lucano, Alonso Lucano

Instagram: NORTAZTECPRIDE