mask (ansiktsmask)

1916.9.268

Name and identification of character
A smaller gara demon, kila gara (Sin.) (vide Preface).

Context
A demon character in the demon dance in Kolam, Gara Nätuma (Sin.), in the demon ceremony Gara Yakuma (vide Preface), and in the finale of the god-rituals called Devolmaduva and Gammaduva.

Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).

Iconography
The mask is of a smaller variety. It has a low-cut, crown-like head-dress consisting of one dilated cobra-hood in the centre and two other cobra-hoods flanking it. All three cobra-hoods are small in size and are painted in variegated colours. The ventral of the cobra in the centre is painted in red, yellow and black curved lines. The face is painted in black. The eyes jut out and are painted in black and yellow with three red lines in the form of rings. The mouth is broad and covers the entire lower part of the face. The gums extend upwards touching the nostrils. The gara yaka is a garrulous demon. The two rows of teeth are separately fitted to the mask. The ears and the two tusks are missing.

2000 07 20
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka