Sri Lanka’s southern coastline is perhaps most famous among travellers for its golden beaches, laid-back vibes and trendy accommodation. A number of travellers nowadays are opting to stay at chic villas over the larger resorts, like the Mosvold Villa, for example, a private boutique villa in Galle. However, once you move away from the beaches, there’s plenty more to see and experience.
The town of Ambalangoda, for instance, is celebrated for its colourful, hand crafted masks. Traditional masks are used in dance performances, folk tales and even play a role in cultural rituals, (according to ancient cultural beliefs, certain masks can be used to cure or ward off an illness). With the introduction of digital media, traditional mask making has declined over the years and the mask culture with it. The Ambalangoda Mask Factory and Museum is the perfect place to take in the artistry that goes into creating a beautiful mask, and get a closer look at the different kinds of masks.
The Ambalangoda Mask Factory and Museum has been managed by the same family for five generations, and is dedicated to one of Sri Lanka’s most famous master craftsman, Ariyapala Wijesuriya Gurunnanse. Mask Factory and Museum has a small one-of-a-kind library, where you can read up on the history of mask making, as well as get to know the different uses for each kind of mask.
Inside the workshop, watch master craftsman at work as they painstakingly handcraft each mask, from start to finish; this includes the cutting and drying of a certain tree, shaping the wood, smoking it and then carving the intricate details. The masks are painted in colours according to cultural lore, with paints that have been treated in a traditional method for added durability. The museum has a large collection of assorted masks and other items, such as ancient tools that were once used to carve masks. The entire place is truly a treasure trove that must be seen to really understand the dedication and artistry that goes into these masks.
Caleb Falcon is a travel writer who specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers. Google+
