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Burmese Medicinal Kapala

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Used by a Payawga-Sayar who can cure patients who have been bewitched.

Figure of Zawgy. This is a flying alchemist who seems to enjoy transforming fruits of a certain type of tree into beautiful maidens with whom he likes to spend time with. He uses his magic stick to cause death to the living and resurrection to the deceased. The fruit maidens, after seven days of their existence, just disappear into the thin air.

Kapalas originate from the Shan of Burma. They are used in Bonpo rituals in that area also date to that period. The Bonpo culture predates the introduction of Buddhism to the Tibet and surrounding region. The inside of this kapala was used for grinding and mixing medicinal herbs with liquid. The outside is painted with gold pigment.