Sri Lankan Traditional Raksha Masks
(Vesmuhunu)
Product Description…..
Product : Gini Raksha Mask
Material : Wood
Mounting : Wall Mounted
Theme : Sun & Moon
Type : Mask
Color : Orange /Red /Green/White
Finish : Matt
Brand : Handmade
Sri Lanka is small but when it comes to culture, we are truly unmatched. Different parts of this island nation have mastered different types of arts for the last thousand years or so, and the Southern part of the island has many arts and history. For example the Southern dance style, the Southern musical instruments, even the way they fish is an art that no other part in the island follows. Travelling south from Colombo you will find the city of Ambalangoda- the city of masks. Here in this video you will find a very special story behind these masks revealed.
The history of Sri Lankan masks actually dates as far back as the 15th century, with strong links to devil-worship. For anyone interested in the art of Sri Lankan mask carving and mask dances, a trip to Ambalangoda is a must. There you will find the Mask Museum: a museum, workshop and library dedicated to everything mask related.
While the production of handcrafted masks using traditional methods and the performing of devil dances to cure ailments have both greatly diminished in recent years, the making of synthetic masks and the enactment of devil dances for outsiders is still popular in the southern coastal region. Besides, surely it’s reassuring to know that whether you’re seeking protection from snakes or fire, or suffering from nightmares, nausea, epilepsy or blindness, there’s always a Sri Lankan mask cure for all your problems.
Masks used in Rituals
In an Island famous for worshiping demons believed to be living in trees and mountains, devil masks are in popular usage for ungodly practices. Masks used in different dramatic rituals in Sri Lanka can be classified as mythological, animal-spirit, demonic and human figures. Oldest of them are animal and demonic. The significance and designs of mythological masks are associated with iconography of the folk religions of the historical period. On the other hand, the significance and design of the human masks have been evolved in recent times.
Kadura wood is transformed into a mask by craftsmen who
Dry the wood in the sun.
Chop and chisel the wood into the required shape.
Cure the wood for seven days over a smoky hearth to protect it from insect attacks.
Carefully smooth and craft the facial expressions of the characters in the wood.
Apply brightly coloured paint and intricate patterns to create a theatrical masterpiece
Given below the step by step guide on the Mask making process.
A good Kaduru tree (Strychnine tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, also known as poison nut. It has soft, easy to carve wood) is selected and felled.
The trunk dried to drain the sap and then when completely dry measured and cut into pieces.
The basic shapes of the masks are carved using a mallet, chisels and various other tools and in accordance to measurements in ancient scriptures
The wood is then smoked on racks in a large hearth to prevent future damage from insects.
The seasoned wood is carved into elaborate faces and expressions and smoothed.
Afterward the masks are painted in colours as mentioned in the scriptures with paints treated in the traditional way for durability.
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