Stag Mask

Dances accompanied by musical performances have always been an important part of Tibetan Buddhist and Bon ritual. Stag dances were performed in a variety of contexts, especially during the end-of-year public Gu Tor festival. Dances dedicated to fierce deities allowed malignant forces to be banished into a torma offering: a young monk wore the wrathful Stag costume and cut the torma offerings into pieces, scattering them to get rid of negative forces for the coming year. Because the public dances were attended by large audiences, the costume is dramatically presented to be seen from afar; the eyes are large and the antlers gave the dancer greater stature. Such ceremonial performances fit perfectly with the public need for rituals of protection, abundance, and prosperity.