Mask Item Number: Eh9 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting Kola Sanniya (representing pneumonia) with a humanoid face that has been painted green with red lips, off-white teeth and fangs, an articulated jaw, protruding conical eyes with rounded tips, a bulbous nose with flared nostrils, scrolling yellow protrusions that emerge from above the eyes, and an off-white, grey, black, and red cobra emerging from between the eyes. There is a crescent-shaped slit under each eye. A long hair moustache is inserted into holes above the upper lip, and a black plant fibre beard attached to strip of rubber nailed to lower jaw, which is hinged with thread. A twined plant fibre cord runs across the back and is tied through holes on either side of the mask. The reverse has paper label with typed text that reads, "Kola Sanni, the leader of the '18' " and "33," handwritten.
History Of Use
Mask worn in curative ritual of the Sanni Yakuma ceremony of the Tovil rituals, a series of dramas performed by a ritual specialist or exorcist and dancers in order to exorcise disease causing demons. Dancer wearing this mask is said to appear last and to receive the bulk of offerings from the patient's family. Often wears crown of palm leaves and receptacle of banana stems around waist.
Cultural Context
exorcism
Iconographic Meaning
Dark colour; fangs; open mouth and protruding eyes symbolize a demon.
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
- 0704/0008