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Southern Monpas are one of the indigenous peoples of Arunachal Pradesh, highly acclaimed for their long-standing wood mask fame deeply enmeshed in Buddhist rites and folklore. A distinctive telling among them is that of a demon king mask, carved beautifully and painted, endowed with great spiritual and cultural meaning.
These masks, made generally from light wood, are used in Cham dances, a holy ritual performed in Buddhist monasteries during religious festivities. The figure of a demon king symbolizes the victory of good over evil as per Buddhist myth. Exaggerated features—bulbous eyes, menacing expressions—are intended to instill fear and, thus, chase away negativity.
These masks, made generally from light wood, are used in Cham dances, a holy ritual performed in Buddhist monasteries during religious festivities. The figure of a demon king symbolizes the victory of good over evil as per Buddhist myth. Exaggerated features—bulbous eyes, menacing expressions—are intended to instill fear and, thus, chase away negativity.
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Southern Monpas are one of the indigenous peoples of Arunachal Pradesh, highly acclaimed for their long-standing wood mask fame deeply enmeshed in Buddhist rites and folklore. A distinctive telling among them is that of a demon king mask, carved beautifully and painted, endowed with great spiritual and cultural meaning.
These masks, made generally from light wood, are used in Cham dances, a holy ritual performed in Buddhist monasteries during religious festivities. The figure of a demon king symbolizes the victory of good over evil as per Buddhist myth. Exaggerated features—bulbous eyes, menacing expressions—are intended to instill fear and, thus, chase away negativity.
These masks, made generally from light wood, are used in Cham dances, a holy ritual performed in Buddhist monasteries during religious festivities. The figure of a demon king symbolizes the victory of good over evil as per Buddhist myth. Exaggerated features—bulbous eyes, menacing expressions—are intended to instill fear and, thus, chase away negativity.
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The Monpas, being followers of Mahayana Buddhism, believe that the masked performance purifies the world around them and the community receives blessings. Moreover, masks in their tradition are colored with natural pigments, establishing the genuineness and brilliance of these masks.
In this modern era, with the infusion of new ways and ideas into their life and craft, the Monpa tribe has not yet allowed the old traditions to fade away, practicing the age-old art of wooden mask-making as part of their cultural and religious identity.
In this modern era, with the infusion of new ways and ideas into their life and craft, the Monpa tribe has not yet allowed the old traditions to fade away, practicing the age-old art of wooden mask-making as part of their cultural and religious identity.
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