What is the Raksha Mask?

A Raksha mask is a mask that Sri Lankans use a lot in festivals and cultural dances. Raksha means “demon” and the masks are apotropaic which means that it is intended to ward off evil. They are painted in vibrant colors, with bulging eyes and protruding tongues and they depict various types of demons. Raksha masks are the final aspect of the Kolam ritual, and they are a tribute to the Rakshasas, a race that earlier ruled Sri Lanka and could assume 24 different forms. But only a few of these forms are performed, some of which are Naga Raksha (cobra mask), Gurulu Raksha (Mask of the Bird) and Maru Raksha (Mask of the Demon of Death)

Gini Raksha, the Fire Devil, subdues enemies and brings friendship and harmony. It is said among Sri Lankans having this in homes bring good luck and protection.
The Fire Mask is a Raksha Mask which is means its job is to ward off evil. This mask is representing the emotion anger which is why the colors are red, orange, and yellow. The patterns on the ears are warding off all evil. The patterns on the ears and the face really draw your attention which the Sri Lankan people found really important.

This mask making is a Traditional Art in Sri Lanka which is now become a dying art. These master pieces are 100% handmade and carefully carved by our traditional craftsmen using very light wood called Kaduru (Strychnine tree, Strychnos nux-vomica, also known as poison nut. It has soft, easy to carve wood).

What materials are the masks made out of?

The Raksha masks are nearly entirely made out of a light, soft wood called kadura, which is smoke-dried before the mask is carved, with a hollow inside so you can put the mask on your face. Other material are used for additional details. The teeth are made from shells and the eyes from glass. Often the eye openings are left bare to allow the wearer’s eyes to be seen, and this gives an appearance of real life to the mask. Color had an immense importance and there are prescribed color-schemes or masks. The older masks are found in the color or red, yellow, black, white and sometimes a dark green obtained from mixing yellow and black. Blue was used very rarely.

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 various dramatic rituals in Sri Lanka can be classified as mythological, demonic, animal-spirit and human figures. Oldest of them are animal and demonic ( or animal-cum-demonic, human-cum-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 time. The authentic masks and masking traditions of Sri Lanka are extraordinary cultural phenomenon and a significant contribution Sri Lanka has made to the Asian cultural spectrum. It is indeed a puzzle as to how the Sri Lankan masks have a short history in an ancient civilization that has to date traces of hunter-gatherer type of society. The present-day Veddas, who are considered to be the primeval ancestors of the Sinhalas, have preserved various ritual ceremonies and ritual practices involving mime, facial and body painting. Some of these practices are directly connected with ancestor worship as evidence from the na-Yaku cult. These attempts at invoking the supernatural, are evident in other part of the world were hunter •gatherer societies still exists. 

Five categories of masks in Sri Lanka
In the context of different usages of masks, researches have classified Sri Lankan masks are, 

1. Religio-magical
2. Ritual-cum-spiritual 
3. Secular-cum-ritual
4. Exorcistic
5. Exocistic with ritual overtones.

Contact us

We can be contacted at any time through eBay messages if you have any questions, comments or product requests. We will respond to you within 24 hours and do our best to help you out! We encourage our customers to contact us with any questions or concerns! We'd like to be sure you are completely satisfied with your purchase.