Mask Item Number: Eh17 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting Amuku Sanniya (who represents vomiting) with a brown face, slightly raised black eyebrows, bulging eyes with a crescent-shaped hole under each, a small nose, and an open mouth with downturned red lips, a protruding tongue, and a row of white upper teeth. There are three black incised lines across the forehead. A strip of white fabric is tied through two small round holes on either side of mask. A label on the reverse side of the mask reads: "AMUKU SANNI: Vomiting," in typewritten characters, and the number "26" written in blue ink.
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 Amukku Sanni, and displays the facial features of a person vomiting.
Iconographic Meaning
The distorted facial features represent a person suffering from fits of vomiting.
Cultural Context
exorcism
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
- good
- Accession Number
- 0704/0016