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Description

Maha Kola Sanni Yakka healing mask (part a) with removable side panels (parts b-c), figure (part d), earpieces (parts e-f), and fangs (parts g-h). Mask depicts a large figure wearing a headdress made of snakes, a silver-coloured shirt, and knee-length skirt with curvilinear and geometric motifs across it. The earpieces (parts e-f) protrude from either side of the head, below the headdress. They have a central flower design, with two snakes wrapped around the outer edge. The figure has a human in between its fang-like teeth, and a human tucked under each arm. Its hands are bent in front of its body, and the female figure (part d) lies across them. Blood is dripping from its teeth, down its chest, and onto its protruding belly. The figure is standing on top of a large smiling head, painted black. The face has bulging eyes, a large nose with prominent nostrils, and two fangs (parts g and h). It is wearing a headdress composed of human figures. Extending up from the face, and surrounding the large figure, is a blue wooden frame. Attached to either side of the frame are the panels (parts b and c). Painted blue, they are each composed of two columns of four multi-coloured heads, with barred teeth. At the top of each set of columns is a pink head, with large ears, wearing a triangular headdress. At the bottom of each set of columns is a large yellow flower. The panels have snakes along the outer edges. The heads rest at the top, and the tails curves around the bottom. (Hanging hardware on back of mask).

History Of Use

This mask was designed to be hung from a tree or on a wall during the Sanni Yakuma healing and exorcism ritual, part of the Tovil series of dramas performed by Sinhalese ritual specialists and dancers. The ritual is practiced in Sri Lanka and is intended to combat diseases and afflictions caused by the sanni demons. It includes a number of dance-drama performances, which include eighteen or more apparitions of the chief demon, Maha-kola-sanni. The officiating healer honours Buddha, then appeases the demons with offerings, dancing and chanting. At the end of the ceremony the patient is taken to a deserted place and left for dead, to deceive the demons. The term for demon-sickness is tani-kama, meaning "aloneness" or "separateness."

Iconographic Meaning

The mask represents the great demon of fatal disease. The eighteen servant demons, yakku, can be identified on the sides of the mask, symbolizing the manifestations of a wide array of afflictions. Visible clues to these afflictions often appear on the features and colours used. The demon Kanna Sanni has one eye closed, representing the blind; Gonna Sanni’s open mouth represents the mute; Kora Sanni, with its badly twisted face, indicates severe stroke. Every yakku has a particular place where it lies in wait for its victims, and can also send illnesses over a long distance. Red, dark green and black are the colours of demons. Yellow symbolizes certain diseases.

Cultural Context

healing; exorcism