Tsam : The Dancing Demons

This is the photos set of "Tsam" Mask Dance in Mongolia. It was was shoot at “Amarbayasgalant Monastery” one of the three largest and oldest Buddhist monastic centers in Mongolia



Tsam dance was born during the 8th century. It's one of the most important ritual of Tibetan Buddhism. Young lamas dance it, wearing costumes and masks that symbolize different apostles, devils, animals, or real persons. The dance principally stages characters of Buddhist legends and animals that symbolise good and bad influences.



Mongolian masks symbolizing the actual presence of a deity never have their eyes pierced. The performers therefore had to look through the mouths of the masks, adding extra height to the performer. As the temporary residence of gods and demons, masks are like statues and treated as sacred objects. When not in use, they were stored in monasteries and paid homage to in daily rituals.