The bold and beautiful!

Lionel WIJESIRI

THE use of masks is a universal phenomenon. Mask use is found around the world - from Australia to China to Asia to Africa and its use dates back to Palaeolithic times, some 30,000 years ago. Images of masked dancers appear painted on cave walls in France and Spain.

Mask use is well documented in the Roman and Greek theatre. Ceremonies by Native American tribes of the United States use masks and African tribes have a well-documented history of mask use.

Masks cannot easily be separated into categories, but generally speaking we can group them into bold and passive, male and female, human, animal or both.

The bold masks usually represent mythological, legendary, non-human beings or spirits. They are often animals associated with the spirit world of the deceased and are referred to as “fantastic” in appearance.

The boldness of the mask serves to alert and distance the masked dancers from the general audience who also participate in the ceremonial festivities.

Passive appearing masks are usually worn in private, intimate close ancestor and/or magic ceremonies.

Masks as art

The modern Westerner usually looks at the mask as a work of art. He understands it as a finely designed and carved piece of wood, possibly concealing a cryptic message of one sort or another; perhaps, a bit of mystery.
 

The average Westerner observes the fine, graceful lines and the colours of the mask but only a few would detect the finer details that a talented carver has incorporated into his mask.

For example, the cheeks or the forehead or temples may have what looks like cuts or bumps or indentions? What are these? They are probably “scarification” and the type of scarification usually signifies a family affiliation.

Of course, there are mass produced “tourist” masks and some replicas of authentic ceremonial masks that proliferate tourist shops, but these masks are not to be confused with the authentic ritual mask, the type found in museums.

Masks in rituals

Let’s look at the mask from a different perspective. Let’s ask ourselves if there is a possibly of a deeper meaning or significance to these masks. Is there any significance to this fine piece of carved wood other than a piece of art, carved to sell to a tourist?

The mask represents, to the genuine believer, a very serious ritual object. When he sees an authentic ceremonial mask he or she knows its approximate, if not exact origin and significance and he realises the importance, the meaning, and its power and danger.
 

So the answer to the question about what a mask is depends on who you are. It could be an art piece, no more and no less, or a souvenir, no more or less, or a very valuable ritual object. Simple as that!

Let us take a look at a few of the well-known masks in our neighbouring countries. This brief overview is presented to provide a small amount of information to the interested readers.

Deer dragon mask

In Bhutan, masked dances are the common forms of entertainment for the public during festivals. These masked dances involve complex moves. A large number of different kinds of dances all involve wearing different masks and dresses, and different steps. The dances are performed in monasteries and have special religious significance.

Deer Dragon is a Bhutanese mask of high artistic quality. Usually, two deer dancers perform in the Bhutanese New Year ceremonies. The dancers are called ‘shar’. The two deer headed figures, robed in fine brocade, enact a graceful dance with their swinging swords chopping to bits and pieces of a large clay figure that personifies the evils of the coming year.

Kali mask

It is from the Terrai, the low lands of southern Nepal. This Mask is Kali, the wrathful and very revered form of the Mother Goddess.

Simultaneously nurturing and wrathful, repugnant and enticing, terrifying and protective, she wants the best for her devotees who are like her own beloved children.

It is believed that she can propel the devout to the extreme heights of bliss and enlightenment and protect them from anything or anyone who gets in the way.

Mahakala mask

This is a Tibetan mask. Whether it is to protect village crops from hailstone damage or the victory over malignant deities, the Mahakala character is ever present in ceremonies throughout the Himalayan region.

His third eye expresses the wisdom of omniscience. The five skulls signify victory over the five emotional obscurations.

These masks are used to defeat evil spirits and, when not being used for a ceremony, are hung on the walls of Tibetan homes.

Lord Jagganath mask

This is a historical Indian mask. Lord Jagganath is a depiction of Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna is the main character of the Hindu epic Mahabharata. As Lord Jagganath, he is seen in the main temple of Puri, Orissa, India. Lord Jagganath is usually depicted along with his elder brother, Lord Balarama and his sister, Subhadra.

Naga Raksha mask

The Sri Lankan Raksha masks are bigger and more detailed. They are mainly used in festivals and processions. Numbering around twenty-four, some of them appear at the end of kolam performances. Common masks are the naga raksha, a demon faced shrouded by many cobras, and its enemy the fearsome mythical hawk-like bird, gurulu raksha.

Meaning

The only way to fully understand the significance of the mask and the way they are used in the society is to understand the deeply engrained socio-religious myth and folklore background of each culture. Also important is to understand that each and every country or tribe has potentially a different set of myths, legends, and folklore to draw upon.

To understand, for example, the Asian culture at this level is a daunting task for a person from a modern Western cultural background. Cultural bias is almost impossible to overcome; in fact, it is impossible to overcome.

At any rate, myths, legends, and folklore give meaning to the community’s rituals and community rituals incorporating the use of masks convey a deep and significant socio-cultural religious meaning to the people participating in the event.

When the mask appears, a deep and important meaning is conveyed. No spoken words are necessary. Rituals, folklore, and myths are necessary to quench man’s need for the spiritual and to control his life and society. Rituals, in any society, are necessary for understanding the world around oneself.

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