Description: Polychrome wooden dance mask of “Gara Yaka”, hand-carved and hand-painted. The demon has round ears in the form of lotus flowers and two tusks, big bulging eyes and head with three cobra hoods rising from the middle of the forehead. People believe that keeping these masks at home would protect from the evil eye and mouth.

Material: The masks crafted in Sri Lanka are typically made from light balsa wood like kaduru (Strychnine tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, also known as poison nut, balsa and snakewood) which is easy to carve, durable and light.

Country of Origin: Sri Lanka

History: This traditional mask is part of a culture of dance rituals in Sri Lanka. The tradition states that diseases were caused by demons (Yakkas) and those diseases could be cured by rituals called devil dancing. From this rituals come various kinds of masks, in which the ones representing the diseases are called “Sanni Mask”. This mask is part of the dance rituals and is called “Gara Yaka”. The mask with cobra hoods for the head dress and the ears is called “Naga Raksha” or cobra demon. The mask with features of a bird is called Garuda Raksha, the mask with the peacock representation is “Mayura Raksha” (Peacock Demon) and the one with the flames is “Gini Raksha” (Demon of fire Flames). We have most of this kinds currently in our shop.

Condition: The mask is in great vintage condition. (see photos)

Dimensions: height 26 cm x 34 cm width

Stockist: Den Haag, the Netherlands