A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

Overview

The Smithsonian record describes a half-face mask with large protruding eyes, black pupils ringed by red lines, a white nose and short stubbly hair tentatively identified as jute. Its upper face is painted black; the lower jaw is absent.

The donor’s interpretation links the missing jaw and colour to the character’s association with mental disturbance. The Australian Museum also places Kapala, or Pissu, among the eighteen Sanni characters. The historical catalogue vocabulary is an attributed ritual classification, not a definition of people experiencing mental illness.

Half-face maskAbsent jawBulging eyesWhite noseSanni repertoire
01

Origins & earliest records

Sri Lankan performed beings

02

Records & interpretation

Identified custodial object record and attributed interpretation read.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

  1. 01

    Mask, Devil Dance, Kapala Sanni

    Maker unrecorded; Jason Schoonover collection

    nmnhanthropology_8457173; object or collection date kept distinct from tradition origin.

  2. 02

    Daha Ata Sanniya Masks

    Stan Florek · 2023

    Specific contextual comparison; no inferred first attestation.

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

Primary records and illustrations

Direct primary record

Mask, Devil Dance, Kapala Sanni

Identified museum collection. nmnhanthropology_8457173

Full indexed Smithsonian object metadata read; current direct-page retrieval unavailable. Object identification and donor interpretation explicit; image bytes not inspected.

Inspect the digitized plate · Source collection manifest

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

  1. Museum or custodial collection recordMask, Devil Dance, Kapala Sanni — custodial recordResearch access: 2026-10-05
  2. Museum interpretive accountDaha Ata Sanniya MasksResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.

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