Mask for exorcism ritual "gara yakuma" ·  Sri Lanka · ID: 3039424

Description

wood, remains of polychrome paint, hinged jaw, disc-shaped ears and tusks separately carved, crowned by three Naga snakes, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, traces of old age, metal base;
“garas” are good spirits, which were sacrificed with dance and gifts, when a house should be cleaned of disease.

Comparing literature

Höpfner, Gerd, Masken aus Ceylon, Berlin 1969, ill. 112