Mahasona

Greaterwell-documentedSinhalese folkloreSri Lankan exorcistic ritualSri Lanka

Mahasona (also Maha Sohona, Mahā Sōnā) is a major cemetery-associated spirit in Sinhalese/Sri Lankan folklore described in sources as "the greatest demon" or "god or demon of the cemetery." He is feared as an agent of sudden death and disease and figures prominently in Sinhalese exorcism ceremonies and in ritual mask traditions.

Origin

According to popular folklore recorded in the sources, Mahasona was originally a giant who was defeated and decapitated in a duel by another giant named Gotaimbara; his head was then replaced with that of a bear or tiger (Source 1). This narrative of defeat and monstrous reconstitution is the origin story given in the documented accounts.

Appearance

Sources describe the traditional narrative form of Mahasona as a giant with a replaced head (bear or tiger head) following decapitation (Source 1). Mahasona is also represented in Sinhalese ritual material culture: he appears as a subject of ritual masks and objects held in museum collections that document Sinhalese ritual dance and exorcistic mask repertoires (Sources 8, 9). The museum documentation indicates regional variation in Yakku-related masking traditions in which Mahasona is included (Sources 8, 9).

Abilities

Documented accounts describe Mahasona as haunting the afterlife and as an agent that can kill or afflict the living: he is said to kill people by crushing their shoulders or by afflicting them with disease (Source 1). Because of these beliefs, Mahasona is invoked in exorcistic ritual repertories and is a named target of traditional exorcism ceremonies (Source 5).

Weaknesses & Wards

Weaknesses

  • condition
    repulsion by exorcism rites

Wards

  • ritual
    Mahasona Samayama
  • ritual
    Sanni Tovil
  • other
    masked ritual performance (use of Mahasona/Yakku masks and objects in exorcistic ceremonies)
Entity Network
YYakshaMMahasona
related
Related Entities
Yaksha
Greater

Yaksha

Nature spirits of Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cosmology — guardians of forests, treasures, and wilderness. Ambivalent beings, capable of great benevolence to the respectful and terrible harm to the greedy.

Community Record

Sources
  1. [1]
    Maha Sona (Wikipedia). Wikipedia: Maha Sona — article describing Mahasona as a devil in Sinhalese folklore, origin story involving Gotaimbara, and his role causing death and disease; notes use of traditional exorcism rituals (Source 1).wiki
  2. [2]
    Of Demons and Drama: Ritual Syncretism of Sinhala Exorcism and Forum Theatre. Scholarly article noting that Mahasona Samayama and Sanni Tovil are two of the most common Sinhalese exorcism ceremonies performed throughout Sri Lanka and situating Mahasona within exorcistic ritual repertory (Source 5).academic
  3. [3]
    From Ceylon to Norway: Sinhalese Ritual Dance Masks and Objects at the Museum of Cultural History. Museum of Cultural History (University of Oslo) collection pages documenting Sinhalese ritual dance masks and objects and listing Mahasona among Yakku/masked ritual representations (Sources 8, 9).other
  4. [4]
    Sangam.org "Sri Lankan General Admits War Crimes; US May Hold Crucial Supporting Evidence" (excerpt). Media/political reportage excerpt cited in the research notes that uses Mahasona as a cultural reference in political context (Source 3).other
  5. [5]
    Satanath Records - Reviews: SAT361 (excerpt referencing a song about Mahasona). Popular/cultural reference noting a musical piece that recounts Mahasona's origin story (Source 7).other
  6. [6]
    Lanka Bandaranayake (Wikipedia / Wikitia references). References to contemporary cultural production (short film "Mahasona") indicating ongoing cultural presence of the figure (Sources 4, 6).wiki
well-documented