Maha Kola Mask

Maha Kola is the boss of 18 demons of illness that are represented in the Sanni Dance (“Devil Dance”). Maha Kola is the chief of these 18 demons. In a Sanni Yakuma, the specialist calls all the sanni demons that have caused the diseases of the patient. The patient gives them offerings and the demons including their Chief Maha Kola will leave the place. Holding victims in his hands and mouth, Maha Kola is surrounded by snakes and by the 18 Sanniyas – the demons of blindness, cholera, boils, and other pestilences, each of whom is given its own mask. As the curing ceremony proceeds, a ritual specialist propitiates the appropriate demon(s) on behalf of the patient and his family. When done, the demons are dismissed and the area is ritually cleansed of any lingering bad influences.

This detailed masked shows the boss of 18 demons of illness in the Devil Dance. It is known that Maha Kola has grasped on to the victims of illness in his hands and mouth. Maha Kola is standing between the eighteen devils and two snakes. Each demon is known for a specific illness; blindness, cholera, boils and other diseases.