Sanni Yakuma

What it is

The Sanni Yakuma is a traditional healing ceremony practiced in Sri Lanka. It belongs to the tovil family of rituals, which are designed to deal with spiritual interference. The event features eighteen distinct masked dances, each representing a specific demon or ailment. These performances are part of the Pahatharata style, one of the island's primary dance traditions. The goal is to identify the spirit causing a person's sickness and then drive it away through performance and negotiation.

Where it comes from

Folklore traces the origin of these demons to the time of the Buddha. A story tells of a king who executed his wife for alleged infidelity. She gave birth during her execution, and her son, the Kola Sanni demon, grew up feeding on her corpse. He sought revenge on his father by creating eighteen poison lumps that turned into demons. These spirits destroyed the city until the Buddha subdued them and made them promise not to harm humans further. The ritual likely has prehistoric roots before being integrated into Buddhist frameworks.

How it is done

A healer called the yakadura first determines if a demon is responsible for the illness. If so, he schedules the ceremony for an auspicious night, usually running from evening until morning. The event has two main parts: the Ata Paliya and the Daha Ata Sanniya. Dancers wear elaborate masks and bright clothes while performing complex steps to drum beats. The performance includes humorous and sometimes crude exchanges between the drummer and the demons, humiliating the spirits before they are finally banished.

Tools and materials

The ritual relies heavily on visual and auditory elements. Performers use large, expressive masks to embody the different demons. They wear vibrant costumes that change for each character. Rhythmic drumming provides the tempo for the dances. Offerings prepared by the healer are presented to the spirits as part of the negotiation process to end their influence over the patient.

What it is for

People seek this ritual when they believe their illness is caused by a supernatural entity rather than natural causes. It also serves to protect the community by ensuring the demons do not return to cause more trouble. The final stage involves the demons accepting offerings and agreeing to stop troubling humans.

Who does it

The lead figure is the yakadura, a shamanic healer. This person is often a fisherman, farmer, or drummer who has specialized knowledge of the rituals. The yakadura acts as the intermediary between the human world and the spirit realm. They decide when the ritual should take place and guide the dancers through the necessary steps to control the demons.

Peoples and places

The practice is central to Sinhalese culture in Sri Lanka. It is most common in the southern and western coastal regions. While the core structure remains consistent, local variations exist in the specific masks used and the details of the performance. The tradition has survived despite colonial influences and modern challenges, maintaining its role as a key part of local spiritual life.

What people believe

The underlying worldview combines animism with Buddhism. Spirits are seen as powerful forces that can cause physical harm. However, they are not purely evil; they can be negotiated with or controlled. The Buddha's authority is invoked to subdue these wild spirits, showing that Buddhist power can tame even the most dangerous demons. This reflects a syncretic belief system where old folk practices coexist with organized religion.

When it is done

The ritual is performed during times of crisis when someone falls ill. It is not tied to a specific festival but is scheduled based on astrological calculations made by the healer. The ceremonies typically last all night, taking advantage of the darkness to facilitate the presence of spirits.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Researchers view the Sanni Yakuma as a form of psychodrama or social theater. It allows patients and communities to externalize their fears about illness. Anthropologists note how the ritual uses humor and humiliation to reduce the perceived power of the threatening spirits. It is studied as a way societies cope with the uncertainty of disease without relying solely on medical intervention.

Compare and confuse

The Sanni Yakuma is similar to other South Asian exorcism rites that use dance and music. It differs from Western exorcisms by its emphasis on theatrical performance and negotiation rather than force. The concept of demons causing illness is shared with many cultures, but the specific eighteen demons and their backstory are unique to Sri Lanka.

Questions people ask about Sanni Yakuma

Good reading and sources

• Sanni Yakuma on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Wikidata recordOpen data