Mask Item Number: Eh123 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask representing a dog's head. The head has been painted black with red eyes, nostrils, inner ears, and lips. Red paint drips extend down from the eyes and the dog's open mouth. The dog's white teeth are jagged, and jute fibre ? tufts attached around the mouth form whiskers and a beard.
History Of Use
Dog mask used in healing ceremony to represent Hiri or Riri Yaka/blood yaka or Mahasona/great cemetery devil. Both derived from legends concerning demons who haunted cemeteries killing and devouring victims. The gods intervened, forcing the demons to inflict illness rather than death. Victims could be healed through rituals and offerings in ceremonial dances directed by the edura/healer.
Iconographic Meaning
Animal mask with blood around his mouth represents a blood-yakka, or cemetery devil who attacks people, sucks their blood, or digs up and devours corpses.
Cultural Context
exorcism
Item History
- Made in Sri Lanka before 1983
- Owned by Sandigiri
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before June 21, 1984
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on June 21, 1984
What
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Sandigiri and 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 1983
- Ownership Date
- before June 21, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on June 21, 1984
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0972/0013