Mask making is a sacred craft in Bhutan, producing the elaborate wooden and papier-mâché masks used in cham (sacred dance) performances at tshechus. Each mask represents a specific deity, demon, or animal and is crafted following strict iconographic rules.
Overview
The creation of mask[1]s for cham dances at tshechus is one of the most sacred and specialized traditional crafts in Bhutan. Masks represent deities, demons, animals, and characters from Buddhist mythology, and each must conform to precise iconographic rules established centuries ago.
Materials and Techniques
Traditional masks are carved from wood (usually poplar or willow) or constructed from papier-mâché over a clay mold.[3] They are then painted in vivid colors using natural pigments, with details of gold, silver, and sometimes precious stones. The crafting of masks falls under Parzo (carving) in the Zorig Chusum tradition.
Types of Masks
- Wrathful deities — fierce protector masks with bulging eyes, fangs, and skull crowns
- Animal masks — stag, ox, and raven masks for nature dances
- Atsara masks — red-nosed clown masks for comic relief
- Raksha masks — ox-headed and skeleton masks for the Judgment of the Dead
References
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