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    The document discusses devil dances in Sri Lanka. The devil dances, known as "tovil" ceremonies, are performed to chase away unseen forces believed to cause illnesses. A tovil can involve family, neighbors, or an entire village. Masked dancers take part in frightening depictions of demons believed responsible for specific ailments. The performers disguise themselves as demons through masks and costumes to symbolically drive away the illnesses.

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    The document discusses devil dances in Sri Lanka. The devil dances, known as "tovil" ceremonies, are performed to chase away unseen forces believed to cause illnesses. A tovil can involve family, neighbors, or an entire village. Masked dancers take part in frightening depictions of demons believed responsible for specific ailments. The performers disguise themselves as demons through masks and costumes to symbolically drive away the illnesses.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    3 views1 page

    Sri Lanka

    Uploaded by

    leojohnyquillain
    The document discusses devil dances in Sri Lanka. The devil dances, known as "tovil" ceremonies, are performed to chase away unseen forces believed to cause illnesses. A tovil can involve family, neighbors, or an entire village. Masked dancers take part in frightening depictions of demons believed responsible for specific ailments. The performers disguise themselves as demons through masks and costumes to symbolically drive away the illnesses.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
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    of 1

    DEVIL DANCE

    OF SRI LANKA

    Devil Dance
    family and immediate neighbours or involving
    the whole village like the 'gam- maduva' or the
    'devol-maduva' which is closely linked to the
    worship of gods. Masked dancers take part in at
    least two of the well-known 'tovil' ceremonies
    referred to as the 'Maha Sohon Samayama' and
    the 'Gara Yakuma'. The mention of 'Maha
    The "Devil Dances" are an attempt to respond
    Sohona' frightens the people since he is
    to the common belief that certain ailments are
    believed to be the demon of the graveyards.
    caused by unseen hands and that they should be
    chased away for the patient to get cured. If an The performer disguises himself as a bear and
    individual or a family is not doing well, the wears a mask and a dress to resemble one.
    village-folk believe that it's because that person Often the 'tovil' involves the 'sanni' dances
    or the family is being harassed by unseen where all the dancers wear masks. The 'daha ata
    hands. A 'tovil' ceremony is the answer. sanniya' refers to eighteen ailments with a
    demon being responsible for each one of them.
    The 'tovil can be a simple ritualistic ceremony
    at home restricted to

    TRADITIONAL

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