Mask Item Number: Eh96 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting Kendy Paliya with a humanoid face and a movable lower jaw. The round, black eyes are deeply recessed with crescent-shaped openings directly beneath each. Tha mask also has big black eyebrows with a hint of yellow and green, black lines that adorn the forehead, cheeks, and nostrils, a prominent nose with flared nostrils, a plant fibre moustache, stuffed red cloth lips, and fifteen white plastic teeth. Label on reverse reads, "Kendy Paliya."
History Of Use
Worn during curing ritual of the Sanni Yakuma ceremony, part of the Tovil series of dramas performed by Sinhalese ritual specialists and dancers. The Sanni Yakuma is intended to combat diseases and afflictions caused by the Sanni group of demons. These consist of 18 or more apparitions of the chief demon, Maha-kola-sanni. The officiating healer honours Buddha, then appeases the demons with offerings, dancing, and chanting.
Cultural Context
exorcism
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka
- Collected during 1978
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before June 10, 1982
- Received from Jason Schoonover (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on June 10, 1982
What
- Name
- Mask
- Identification Number
- Eh96
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- cotton fibre ?, paint, nux vomica wood ?, plastic and plant fibre
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved, painted and tied
- Overall
- height 29.0 cm, width 24.0 cm, depth 13.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Jason Schoonover
- Received from
- Jason Schoonover (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sri Lanka
When
- Collection Date
- during 1978
- Ownership Date
- before June 10, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on June 10, 1982
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0812/0012