Traditional Mask Industry in Sri Lanka

Traditional Mask Industry in Sri Lanka

A mask is an 

“Object normally worn on the face typically for protection disguise, performance entertainment”

Traditional mask industry is very famous industry in Sri Lanka, mainly western costal involving mask industry. Ambalangoda   very famous town for the making mask industry, and also Wathugedara   and Benthota a as well as some part along the western coast. The history of masks that are unique to Sri Lanka, in ancient time not having proper health system therefore they used mask for their health purposes ex: “Kohobhakankari santhi karmaya, Devill dance” etc. The timber that is used to  make these decorative and colorful masterpieces should always be light and durable and therefore trees such as “ Rukkaththana and Diyakadura ’’ are  used for making  masks.

      There are different types of mask categories, that’s are                            

1.      Raksha mask ( used to perform raksh dance in kolam maduwa )

Naga Raksha (cobra mask)

Maru Raksha (mask of the demon of death)

Gurulu Raksha (mask of the bird)

Rathnakuta Raksha

Purnaka Raksha  

2.      Sanni  mask (These are used to treat illnesses while there are 18 sanni masks in used )

1.      Deva Sanniya – causes measles, mumps, small pox, typhoid fever and cholera.

2.      Vata Saniya -  causes diseases caused by air in the body ,also paralyses

3.      Pith Sanniya – causes diseases of the bile.

4.      Amukku Sanniya – causes stomach pain vomiting.

5.      Naga Sanniya – the vision of the demon causes poison like cobra poison in the body blister, swellings.

6.      Ginijala Sanniya – causes heat similar to fire in the body and burning sensation.

7.      Selesma Sanniya - causes headache overproduction.

8.      Kapala Sanniya   - causes phlegm , cough , sneezing

9.      Maru Sanniya      – causes the fear of the death, also death  a

10.  Kadawata Snniya – is trying to s down the barriers which sueparate him from the patient.

11.  Kora Sanniya – causes lame limbs swollen  joints

12.  Buhutu Sanniya - cause temporary madness.

13.  Kana Sanniya – causes temporary blindness.

14.  Jala Sanniya – cause unbearable clod and shivering.

15.  Bihiri Sanniya – causes temporary deafness 

16.  Golu Sanniya – causes temporary dumbness

17.  Vevulum Sanniya – causes shivering and fits.

18.  Gedi Sanniya – causes furuncles

3.      Kolam mask (this types is used mainly in drama while popular kolam masks are lenchinaa and Jasaya.

 Masks industry in Sri Lanka very unique industry. And also we can show our culture and handicraft for the world ……..