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Cultural Context

exorcism

History Of Use

Worn during curing ritual of the Sanni Yakuma ceremony, part of the Tovil series of dramas performed by Sinhalese ritual specialists and dancers. The Sanni Yakuma is intended to combat diseases and afflictions caused by the Sanni group of demons. These consist of 18 or more apparitions of the chief demon, Maha-Kola-Sanni. The officiating healer honours Buddha, then appeases the demons with offerings, dancing, and chanting. This mask represents Purnaka Raksa, a general in charge of an army of demons. He is responsible for smallpox.

Iconographic Meaning

This mask is given the name 'Purnaka' by the collector. Purnaka Raksa are usually identified by their protruding tongues and large circular ear ornaments adorned with leaves. This mask is missing its ear ornaments and does not have a tongue. It does have the red face colour and protruding fangs of a demon and the stupa-like head dress of a dignitary.

Description

Mask depicting a creature with an orange face that has projecting brows, protruding eyes, a straight nose with a curved tip and large nostrils, and a large mouth with wide red lips that show off white teeth and curving fangs. The figure is wearing a tall headdress that is curved at the top and has a three-tiered low relief design at the centre, as well as a linear design parallel to the edge in red, white, blue , green and yellow. A label on the reverse at the top reads, "Poruaka" handwritten in blue ink.