Mask Item Number: Eh25 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask with humanoid face that is orange brown with thin black eyebrows, a thick black moustache with long pointed ends, a black beard, protruding eyes that are flat and angled downwards, protruding pointed cheeks, and a rounded opem mouth showing two rows of teeth. At the top of the head is a turban carved in relief with three wrapped folds, green fading to yellow at the edges. Twine is threaded through a hole on either side of the face, and is attached to nail at the top. An inscription in blue pencil on the reverse reads, "23 TIG No. 36" with the 36 crossed out.
History Of Use
Moslem money lender or hettiya is used in the Kolam ceremony which is a dance drama performed as entertainment. The ceremony consists of three stages: the first shows the origin of Kolam and introduces the characters; the second consists of dances by these beings, human, animal, or divine; and the third stage consists of a story. The money lender sometimes appears in the Devolmaduva ritual which is believed to cure contagious diseases, but this appearance is rare and solely for entertainment.
Cultural Context
folk drama
Iconographic Meaning
Turban indicates Muslim. Beard and moustache show status and upward curving ends of the moustache suggest authority. Beaky nose and penetrating eyes represent his miserly character
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1978
- Collected during 1978
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before February 10, 1981
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on February 10, 1981
What
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- 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
- Sri Lanka
When
- Creation Date
- before 1978
- Collection Date
- during 1978
- Ownership Date
- before February 10, 1981
- Acquisition Date
- on February 10, 1981
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Current Location
- Case 106
- Accession Number
- 0704/0024