Description

GARA YAKA WOODEN MASK

Name: GARA YAKA WOODEN MASK
SKU: ACTWDMSKGR
Availability: InStock

Gara Yaka Wooden mask is one of the many Sri Lankan traditional wooden masks. The Traditional Wooden Raksha (Demon) Masks are one of the main productions in the Craft Industry of Sri Lanka and are a huge interest among the locals as well as the tourists. The Raksha(Demon) Wooden Masks have been used in Traditional Sri Lankan festivals and Cultural dances for decades. These Masks are handmade by our talented craftsmen using Kaduru wood which is a source of the world’s lightest timber. These Masks are believed to Ward off Evil and bring Harmony & Prosperity. There are different forms when it comes to these Masks. Such as Naga, Gini, Rathnakuta, Mayura, Gara and many more.

According to folklore this mask believed to be a demon lived in ancient Sri Lanka. This traditional mask is part of a culture of dance rituals in Sri Lanka called by the same name, Gara Yaka Narthanaya (Gara Demon/Devil Dance). The tradition states that performing this dance can cure the diseases were caused by demons. A person wear this mask and perform this dance in front of people. It is believed that many sicknesses caused by demons and evil spirits will be cured participating this event.

Polychrome wooden dance mask of “Gara Yaka”, hand-carved and hand-painted. The demon has round ears in the form of lotus flowers and two tusks, big bulging eyes and head with three cobra hoods rising from the middle of the forehead. People believe that keeping these masks at home would protect from the evil eye and mouth. Based on the artist, who these masks are crafted colours and the shapes can be slightly different.

There are few types of traditional wooden masks used in these rituals. The masks which the ones representing the diseases are called “Sanni Mask”. The mask with cobra hoods for the head dress and the ears is called “Naga Raksha” or cobra demon. The mask with features of a bird is called Garuda Raksha, the mask with the peacock representation is “Mayura Raksha” (Peacock Demon) and the one with the flames is “Gini Raksha” (Fire Demon).