Water devil mask "thota yaka" · Sri Lanka · ID: 3046907
sold
EUR 1,000
Size
M: 63 cm x 55 cm
M: 24.8 inch x 21.7 inch
Description
wood, three-part, polychrome paint,
In ancient times, the people of Sri Lanka were convinced that diseases were caused by evil spirits or devils. To appease the devils, songs of praise and mask dances were performed, whereby the masks represented the different types of devils (“yaka”). Besides the water devil “thota yaka”, there was the black devil “kalu yaka”, or the blood devil “riri yaka” etc. A magic priest “kattadiya” was entrusted with the performance of the ceremonies.