Mask

Mask is used in a Sanni or exorcism ceremony. It represents Slesma Sanni, one of the 18 demons who are companions of Maha-kola-sanni who was the son of a king. This king killed his wife, so his son vowed revenge. He did so by making 18 capsules with herbs in them, from which the Sanni demons were produced. These demons caused the death of the king when disease spread through his city. In order to placate disease-causing demons a healer invokes the demons in a ritual involving singing dancing, and offerings of food. Slesma causes mucous secretions from the mouth and anus, as well as anxiety and epileptic fits. Worn by Okressa devil dancer.

ritual exorcism

Demons that cause disease are usually green; fangs are associated with demons.

Mask depicting a humanoid face, painted dark green with a large red mouth that takes up roughly half the mask, and with large whitish teeth and curving fangs. High arched eyebrows with a lotus petal design protrude at the top, and the mask also has bulging white eyes with large black pupils that each have crescent-shaped slots beneath them. The nose is large with exaggerated open nostrils. A piece of string is attached at the back.