mask

Bett. Käke, halvkretsformad, rörlig. En hörntand avbruten. Bredd: 18 cm. Höjd: 13 cm. [ocr] Riksmuseets etnografiska avdelnings nya utställning Riksmuseets etnografiska avdelning, sal 2 Sri Lanka Ceylon 1916.9.208 Name and identification of character A Sanni mask-piece (maskoid) used by a demon dancer representing the demon of blood, riri yaka (Sin.). Context A demon character in a Tovil ceremony called Sanni Yakuma (Sin.) (vide Preface). Material Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica). Iconography A mask-like appendage that is attached to the mouth of the dancer. The impersonation of the character is effected through this mouthpiece (there are later examples of masks depicting riri yaka). The jaws are movable to facilitate talking. The teeth are shaped like spikes, with two eye-teeth in the shape of tusks, indicating a character that sucks human blood. The teeth are painted in white. The tongue and the jaws are red, denoting a bloodthirsty demon. It is only when the dancer appears in full costume, the whole body covered in a red cloth in this case, that the ferocity of the character is perceivable. 2000 07 12 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka 1916.09.0208 Riksmuseets etnografiska avdelning, sal 2 Sri Lanka Ceylon 1916.9.208 Name and identification of character A Sanni mask-piece (maskoid) used by a demon dancer representing the demon of blood, riri yaka (Sin.). Context A demon character in a Tovil ceremony called Sanni Yakuma (Sin.) (vide Preface). Material Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica). Iconography A mask-like appendage that is attached to the mouth of the dancer. The impersonation of the character is effected through this mouthpiece (there are later examples of masks depicting riri yaka). The jaws are movable to facilitate talking. The teeth are shaped like spikes, with two eye-teeth in the shape of tusks, indicating a character that sucks human blood. The teeth are painted in white. The tongue and the jaws are red, denoting a bloodthirsty demon. It is only when the dancer appears in full costume, the whole body covered in a red cloth in this case, that the ferocity of the character is perceivable. 2000 07 12 Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka 1916.09.0208