Mask Item Number: Eh131 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a humanoid face that is painted black with sharp cheekbones, a pointed nose, red eye sockets, each with a crescent-shaped hole beneath underlined in white. To top lip is flat and angled upwards, and the open red lips of the mouth expose white teeth. Written on the reverse at the top edge of the mask is the word "atura."
History Of Use
Used during the Sanni healing and exorcising ritual, which involves invocation and propitiation of demons of disease by a healer.
Cultural Context
exorcism
Iconographic Meaning
Black and green are colours associated with demons
Item History
- Made in Ariballingo, Katatura, Sri Lanka before 1983
- Collected during 1983
- Owned by Ari Ebert
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before June 21, 1984
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on June 21, 1984
What
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Ari Ebert and Jason Schoonover
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Ariballingo, Katatura, Sri Lanka
When
- Creation Date
- before 1983
- Collection Date
- during 1983
- Ownership Date
- before June 21, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on June 21, 1984
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0972/0021