Ambalangoda Travel Guide — Things to Do, Food & Hotels
town in Southern Province, Sri Lanka
About Ambalangoda
Ambalangoda has many museums to visit. The town is renowned for the manufacture of wooden masks and puppets. The traditional masks are carved from light Balsa-like Kaduru wood. The wood is smoke dried for a week in preparation. The hand-carved and hand-painted masks in traditional dance dramas are vibrant and colourful. Masks are created for three different types of dancing rituals: 'Kolam', which tell mocking stories of traditional Sri Lankan colonial life; 'Sanni', or devil dancing masks, used in a type of exorcism ceremony to heal people of persisting illnesses believed to be inflicted by demons; and 'Raksha' masks, which are used in festivals and processions. Local puppet shows, showing dramas, comedies and folk tales were also a popular form of entertainment. Influences from South Ind
Ambalangoda Travel Guide Sections
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