Mask Item Number: Eh127 a-c from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask depicting an animal head (a) that is painted black overall with a long snout, a rounded ridge running from the top of the forehead to the tip of the animal's nose, large protruding eyes with black pupils set in red, ovoid sockets. Two black and red ears are inserted into holes in the right (b) and left (c) sides of the head. The animal's long, slightly opened mouth contains 22 white teeth on the upper jaw and 21 on the bottom. A red tongue cut from thin leather extends out the left side of the animal's mouth and has three holes cut in a row near the end.
History Of Use
Mask is worn to represent a demon with a human body and a bear's head who is known as Mahasona or the cemetery demon. When two warriors fought and one was decapitated, a deity tore the head off a passing bear and placed it on the warrior's body, creating a demon. This demon appears in the dance series known as the Kolam, folk drama, as well as in the Sanni which is a healing ritual.
Cultural Context
ritual
Iconographic Meaning
Bear's head may indicate Mahasona demon.
Item History
- Made in Okressa, Sri Lanka ? before 1983
- Owned by Ebert's Gallery
- Owned by Jason Schoonover before June 21, 1984
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Shop Volunteers (Funding source) and Jason Schoonover (Seller) on June 21, 1984
What
Who
- Culture
- Sinhalese
- Previous Owner
- Ebert's Gallery and 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
- Okressa, Sri Lanka ?
When
- Creation Date
- before 1983
- Ownership Date
- before June 21, 1984
- Acquisition Date
- on June 21, 1984
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0972/0017 a-c