1916.9.306
Name and identification of character
The mask depicts the demon of blood, riri yaka (Sin.).
Context
This demon mask is used in a demon ceremony known by several names: Riddi yagaya, Rata yakuma, and Kalas vaidde (Sin.).
Material
Wood, vel-kaduru (Sin.) (Nux vomica).
Iconography
The mask is small and has a headdress composed of five cobras. The cobra-hoods form a diadem, referred to as vattuva in Sinhalese. The cobras are painted predominantly in red with a few lines in reddish-yellow. The eyes are small and deep set. The eyebrows are also deep set and painted with petal designs. A small nose and a closed mouth. The closed mouth differs from the mouth of a gara demon. Two eye-teeth. Whiskers resembling those of a monkey are painted around the mouth. The ears are missing.
Comments on the Umlauff Catalogue
The identification of the mask as Garu kolan is incorrect.
2000 01 19
Dr. M. H. Goonatilleka