Dance mask of a joker

This mask is thought to originate from a remote village of Nepal’s middle mountain ranges. Differing in appearance from the Himalayan masks associated with Tantric Buddhism and Cham dances, masks such as this were worn by clown and buffoon characters in mimes performed during New Year, or at other seasonal celebrations such as those of the harvest festival. The rather bawdy performances involving these characters generate much laughter among the crowds, and also serve to scare away evil spirits.