Mongolian Masks & Buddhist Rituals

Mongolian masks are used in a Buddhist ritual called Tsam. In Mongolia, where the ritual was introduced in the 18th century, the tsam signifies a dance.

According to the Tibetan Mongolian Museum Society, “the word ‘Tsam’ means a dance of the Buddha (deva) and elements of this dance show as if protectors and deities have physically descended on the Jambudtiva (Southern continent).”

The Asia Society says the dances are held around the New Year with the purpose of destroying the evil that had accured in the last year.

The clip above, from the Washington Post, shows how the colorful masks are made. And below you can see a beautiful Getty image of a mask.