The article deals with those dancers clad as devils in the feast of La Tirana who are known locally as loose devils. Both the ethnohistoric components and the symbolic universe of their attributes as dancers are studied. Social, cultural and musical data about the devils are presented. The autonomy of the dancers is outlined as their main feature as they do not belong to any of the religious groups attending the feast at this important shrine in Northern Chile.Este artículo analiza a los danzantes que para la fiesta de La Tirana visten trajes de demonios. Se deno- minan localmente como diablos sueltos. Tanto los componentes etnohistóricos y el universo simbólico de sus atributos como bailarines son estudiados. Para este efecto se releva información social, cultural y musical de los diablos y se destaca que la autonomía de los bailarines es su principal condición, al no pertenecer a ninguna cofradía religiosa que asiste a este significativo santuario del Norte de Chile.