Mask

Item number Eh86 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Mask depicting Bita Sanniya (?): a humanoid face with bulging red-rimmed eyes, a short nose with a curved bridge, grimacing red lips with crooked white teeth, two red curved lines on either side of the mouth, brown plant fibre tufts on the brow as well as the upper lip, and strands of black hair on the chin. There is a strip of white fabric strung through two holes in the sides of the mask. A label on the reverse reads, "Bita Sanni" handwritten in blue pen.

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 Bita Sanni, a demon causing fear and anxiety.

Iconographic Meaning

Represents a demon of fear or anxiety

Cultural Context

exorcism

Item History

Made in Sri Lanka
Collected during 1978
Owned by Jason Schoonover before June 10, 1982
Received from Jason Schoonover (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) on June 10, 1982