Riri Yaksani
Item number 3392/21 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
A watercolour painting which depicts a spiritual being with four arms. The being has a red head and yellow body. On its stomach is a large, red dot. The being is wearing a long green skirt that ends at the ankle. The skirt comes together at the front, and the opening has a border made from red, white, and yellow stripes. Red, parallel stripes extend horizontally from the border, over a small white section of skirt. Decorative bands encircle the being's biceps, wrists, and neck. A long piece of light brown fabric is draped across the being's shoulders, and hangs down in two loops so as to cover its breasts. The excess fabric hangs behind the being on either side. The being has pointed, animal-like ears, and a narrow, grimacing mouth. Its black hair is arranged into small, round shapes on top of its head, and the rest hangs down across its shoulders. All four of the being's arms are holding objects, including an orange club-like object with horizontal stripes, a small, shell-like object, a thin, curved blade, and a small white and red bird. Behind the being stands an animal, with only its front section visible. The animal is white, and has long legs, a long face, and horns that curve backwards. The painting's background is blue, and a rectangular black border surrounds the image. There is a rounded, unpainted section behind the being's head and shoulders.
History Of Use
The imagery is possibly associated with ritual healing in Sri Lanka. The set of watercolours (3392/3-34) is said to depict spirits that inhabit planets, or deviyo (minor gods) or rakshas and yakkas (evil or mischievous beings). These beings are often depicted in masked dances and exorcisms.
Narrative
The collector, Dr. Michael Egan, wrote his doctoral thesis on healing rituals in Sri Lanka. His fieldwork was carried out in the south of Sri Lanka, in the village of Kadurupokuna (Hambantota District), between Sept. 1965 and Nov. 1966.
Iconographic Meaning
Identified as a female demon.
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka between 1960 and 1966
- Collected between 1965 and 1966
- Owned by Michael John Egan before 1977
- Owned by Carol Egan before October 2, 2019
- Received from Carol Egan (Donor) on October 2, 2019
What
- Name
- Riri Yaksani
- Identification Number
- 3392/21
- Type of Item
- painting
- Overall
- height 37.3 cm, width 27.2 cm
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Sri Lanka
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Michael John Egan and Carol Egan
- Received from
- Carol Egan (Donor)
When
- Creation Date
- between 1960 and 1966
- Collection Date
- between 1965 and 1966
- Ownership Date
- before 1977 and before October 2, 2019
- Acquisition Date
- on October 2, 2019
Other
- Item Classes
- paintings; works on paper
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3392/0021
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