Mask Item Number: Eh35 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting a dark red-brown humanoid face with bulbous red-rimmed eyes, a large nose with flaring nostrils, a small red mouth, a thick black beard, and a thin black moustache. There are yellow markings on the chin, over the bridge of the nose, on the nostrils, on the eyebrows and on the forehead. Slots are cut into either side of head, possibly for detachable ears. The figure is wearing a brown-yellow turban with a border of black triangles and incised red lines.
History Of Use
The Kolam is a secular entertainment with considerable elements of social satire. It incorporates narrative, mime, dance, and music. A Kolam performance usually has four episodes the precise content of which may vary. These consist of a prelude, detailing the origin of the drama; the arrival of a royal party and dances by characters mythical, human and animal; enactment of a popular story or stories; and a purifying demon dance. Vindane Aracci, the character portrayed by this mask, is the village headman, a member of the ruling class of the village. There are subtle differences in appearance to make him seem more approachable than the Mudali, a higher official, although both serve in the place of the king in his absence.
Iconographic Meaning
Beard and headgear suggest high social status of the village headman, Vindane Aracci.
Cultural Context
folk drama
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
- Accession Number
- 0704/0034