Disease mask

myminifactory

*colour information is available for this work - please get in touch for access to this file!* Disease masks like this one were used in Singhalese healing rituals, where demons believed to be responsible for illnesses were exorcised from the sufferers. These complex night-time ceremonies, accompanied by beating drums and burning resin, involve the suffering patient being confronted with the incarnation of the malady in the form of the masked shaman, or 'edura'. A label on the mask indicates that it might have been used to treat diarrhoea.    This object is part of "Scan The World". Scan the World is a non-profit initiative introduced by MyMiniFactory, through which we are creating a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks and landmarks from across the globe for the public to access for free. Scan the World is an open source, community effort, if you have interesting items around you and would like to contribute, email stw@myminifactory.com to find out how you can help.