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Sanni Masks

Sanni masks personify the characters of common ailments in society. These masks are used in the ritual Sanni Yakuma.

Amukku Sanniya

Amukku Sanniya

Symbolises stomach pain and vomiting. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Bheetha Sanniya

Bheetha Sanniya

Symbolises temporary unconsciousness, dementia and fear of the unknown. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Demala Sanniya

Demala Sanniya

Hallucinations and bad dreams. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Golu Sanniya

Golu Sanniya

Symbolises temporary dumbness. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Pissu Sanniya

Pissu Sanniya

Symbolises temporary madness. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Bihiri Sanniya

Bihiri Sanniya

Symbolises temporary deafness. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Kana Sanniya

Kana Sanniya

Symbolises temporary blindness. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Ginijal Sanniya

Ginijal Sanniya

Symbolises body-heat and burning sensations. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Bhootha Sanniya

Bhootha Sanniya

Symbolises temporary madness. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Selesma Sanniya

Selesma Sanniya

Symbolises unbearable headache, tension. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Maru Sanniya

Maru Sanniya

Symbolises fear of death. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Pith Sanniya

Pith Sanniya

Symbolises diseases related to bile. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Kora Sanniya

Kora Sanniya

Symbolises lameness and swollen joints. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Nāga Sanniya

Nāga Sanniya

Symbolises poison in the body, blisters and swellings. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Jala Sanniya

Jala Sanniya

Symbolises unbearable cold and shivering. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Deva Sanniya

Deva Sanniya

Symbolises epidemics such as measles, mumps, small pox, diarrhoea, typhoid fever and cholera. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Vātha Sanniya

Vātha Sanniya

Symbolises paralysis and illnesses caused by imbalance in the air-element. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Kōla Sanniya

Kōla Sanniya

Represents all other Sanni. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.

Mahā Kōla Sanniya

Chieftain of Daha-ata Sanni (18 sanni)
Source: Mahā kōla Sanniya (National Museum Colombo)
Mahakola_edited.jpg
Source: Mahā Kōla Sanniya (Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda)
Mahā Kōla Sanniya. Source: Ariyapala Mask museum, Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka.
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