Question 1

What illness does Vevulum Sanniya cause?

Accepted Answer

Vevulum Sanniya is the demon associated with shivering, trembling, and convulsive fits. In the traditional belief system underpinning the Sanni Yakuma ceremony, these physical symptoms were understood as the direct result of possession by this demon. The ritual exorcism performed by a yakadura is meant to appease Vevulum Sanniya and remove its influence from the patient.

Question 2

How many Sanniya demons are there in Sri Lanka's Daha Ata Sanniya?

Accepted Answer

There are eighteen Sanniya demons in the Daha Ata Sanniya pantheon, each associated with a different illness or affliction. They are presided over by Maha Kola Sanniya, whose ceremonial mask incorporates the faces of all eighteen. Together they form the cast of the Sanni Yakuma healing ritual.

Question 3

Where are Sanniya masks made in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

The main centre for traditional Sanniya mask carving is Ambalangoda, a town on Sri Lanka's southern coast in the Galle District. Several mask-making families and small workshops there have maintained the craft for generations. Ambalangoda also has dedicated mask museums where visitors can learn about the iconography and ritual context of the different figures.

Question 4

What wood is used to carve Sanniya masks?

Accepted Answer

Sanniya masks are traditionally carved from the wood of the kaduru tree, known botanically as Nux vomica. The wood is lightweight, easy to carve, and considered ritually auspicious. After carving, the masks are hand-painted using bold colours — typically white, red, and black — following conventions specific to each demon character.

Question 5

Is the Sanni Yakuma ceremony still performed in Sri Lanka today?

Accepted Answer

Full Sanni Yakuma ceremonies do still take place, though they are less common in everyday village life than they were in earlier generations. Dedicated practitioners and cultural organisations continue to perform and preserve the tradition. Some cultural centres and festivals provide opportunities for visitors to witness elements of the ceremony.

Question 6

What is the difference between the Sanni Yakuma and Kolam in Sri Lanka?

Accepted Answer

Both are low-country Sinhalese masked performance traditions that draw on the same regional carving conventions and often the same craftspeople. The Sanni Yakuma is a healing ritual focused on exorcising the eighteen demons of illness, while Kolam is a masked drama with comic and narrative elements performed for community entertainment. The two traditions share aesthetic roots but serve different ceremonial purposes.

Question 7

Are Sanniya masks considered sacred or can they be displayed as art?

Accepted Answer

Sanniya masks are ritual instruments in their original ceremonial context, but they are also widely recognised as significant examples of Sri Lankan folk art and are collected for display. Many craftspeople in Ambalangoda produce masks specifically for the collector and souvenir market. When acquiring a mask for display, buyers should look for pieces made using traditional methods and materials to ensure cultural authenticity.

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