Riri Yaksani

The imagery is possibly associated with ritual healing in Sri Lanka. The set of watercolours (3392/3-34) is said to depict spirits that inhabit planets, or deviyo (minor gods) or rakshas and yakkas (evil or mischievous beings). These beings are often depicted in masked dances and exorcisms.

The collector, Dr. Michael Egan, wrote his doctoral thesis on healing rituals in Sri Lanka. His fieldwork was carried out in the south of Sri Lanka, in the village of Kadurupokuna (Hambantota District), between Sept. 1965 and Nov. 1966.

Identified as a female demon.

A watercolour painting which depicts a spiritual being with four arms. The being has a red head and yellow body. On its stomach is a large, red dot. The being is wearing a long green skirt that ends at the ankle. The skirt comes together at the front, and the opening has a border made from red, white, and yellow stripes. Red, parallel stripes extend horizontally from the border, over a small white section of skirt. Decorative bands encircle the being's biceps, wrists, and neck. A long piece of light brown fabric is draped across the being's shoulders, and hangs down in two loops so as to cover its breasts. The excess fabric hangs behind the being on either side. The being has pointed, animal-like ears, and a narrow, grimacing mouth. Its black hair is arranged into small, round shapes on top of its head, and the rest hangs down across its shoulders. All four of the being's arms are holding objects, including an orange club-like object with horizontal stripes, a small, shell-like object, a thin, curved blade, and a small white and red bird. Behind the being stands an animal, with only its front section visible. The animal is white, and has long legs, a long face, and horns that curve backwards. The painting's background is blue, and a rectangular black border surrounds the image. There is a rounded, unpainted section behind the being's head and shoulders.