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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

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