![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/9b119e31-9f7c-4082-a0cb-3317bdbeee8d/ac76a314-ec86-415f-8efe-d1a45b5bbb38_rw_3840.jpg?h=9ee2c17e68f2e8d268b9984caa749ae4)
Mahakola | Nuwan Shilpa Hennayake
"Sanni Yakuma" is a traditional Sinhalese exorcism ritual deeply rooted in Sri Lanka's ancient shamanic traditions. This elaborate ceremony is renowned for its mesmerizing masked dances, each mask vividly depicting a specific ailment or disease. The term "Sanni Yakuma" itself combines "sanniya," meaning disease, and "yakuma," denoting a demon ritual. At the heart of this ritual are 18 distinct masks, each representing a different malady. However, there is one mask that stands out—the "Makahola." (මහාකෝල ) This mask is a powerful amalgamation of all 18 ailments, symbolizing the "greater ailment." The Makahola mask serves as a profound inspiration for this artwork, embodying the essence of the ritual and the ancient wisdom it conveys.
Mahakola | Nuwan Shilpa Hennayake