Mask Item Number: Eh4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting Golu Sanniya (representing dumbness) with a black painted face, white lines on the brow indicating furrows, raised eyebrows decorated with white dots. Large bulbous eyes are outlined in red with crescent-shaped slits beneath each. The nose has a bump near the top of the ridge and flaring nostrils. The mask also has an open mouth with downturned corners and large red lips drawn back to expose top and bottom teeth. A typewritten label on the reverse reads, "GOLU SANNI: Dumb" and has the number 27 written on the label in pencil. "46" has also been written on the back of the mask in red pencil, and crossed out with blue pencil with "27" added below it in blue pencil. Small holes on either side at eye level have a plant fibre cord threaded through.
History Of Use
Mask of Golu, characterizing dumbness, is one of the eighteen demons or apparitions of Maha-kola-sanni appearing in the Sanni rituals of exorcism, which, under the direction of a healer, seek to placate and exorcise demons causing illness.
Cultural Context
exorcism
Iconographic Meaning
A black face is commonly associated with demons.
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 107
- Accession Number
- 0704/0003