Model : Double Fire Mask (Gini Rasksha)
Material : Wood (Kaduru / Strychnine / Nux Vomica)
Weight: Approximately 500g to 650g
Height = 8 inch, Width = 10 inch
Manufacturing Method : Handcraft
Manufacture
according to your favoured colour and size. Price may be change according to
choose. Please massage prior to order your custom designs.
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
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