Best place to buy authentic wooden masks?
I want to buy a traditional Raksha (demon) mask. Should I go straight to Ambalangoda, or are the shops in Galle Fort selling the exact same thing?
4 Answers from travellers
Go to Ambalangoda! It is the historical heartland of mask carving. Visit the Ariyapala Mask Museum. You can watch the artisans carving from Kaduru wood and painting them. The prices are much fairer than the heavily marked-up boutiques in Galle Fort.
In Galle Fort, you pay a 300% premium for the atmosphere. Ambalangoda is only a 45-minute bus ride up the coast from Galle. Totally worth the trip.
Ariyapala Mask Museum added to the itinerary. Thanks!
Make sure it is made from Kaduru wood (which is very light). The cheap knockoffs sold in street stalls are made from heavy, dense wood and aren't authentic.
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