Mask of the Spirit Deity Jumadi

This extraordinary cast metal mask of a lion-like spirit-deity Jumadi was worn by shamanic priests in the annual summoning festivals of the Tulu-speaking communities of coastal Karnataka. It exemplifies the masterful skill and creativity of traditional metal-casters in rural India who served the devotional needs of diverse communities. The making of these masks is probably very ancient using organic materials such as woven fibers and wood. It is unclear when cast metal versions began to be made, but none appear to be "ancient" or even "medieval." The production of metal accoutrements for the annual bhuta festivals may be relatively modern—the preserve of the sub-castes of market-town metal artisans, the Visvakarmas. Traditionally belonging to blacksmith and carpenter castes, some graduated to being makers of devotional images using metal foundry technologies. It is these communities who appear to be responsible for the making and supplying of bhuta metal ritual paraphernalia.