General Information about Item:

Superstition

Language: English

Culture of Origin: Nepali

Informant: BK

Date Collected: 10-27-2021

Informant Data:

BK was born in Baglung, Nepal on May 22th, 1970. She grew up in Waling, Nepal. She is half Gurung, who are a Nepali ethnic group that lives close to the Himalayas. BK speaks fluent English, Hindi, Gurung and Nepali. After retiring from teaching she moved to America in 2013. In America, BK calls Davenport, Iowa her home. BK’s hobbies include knitting, gardening and travelling. 

Contextual Data:

Social Context:

BK’s mom is Gurung who are a Nepali ethnic group that originate from the Himalayan region of Nepal and have close ties to Tibetan cultures. BK first heard the yeti from her mom when she was young since the yeti is a popular creature among people living in the himalayan region of Nepal. Since then she has also heard about the Yeti in western folklore since the Yeti is a popular creature in the west as well.

Cultural Context:

The Yeti, also known as the abominable snowman in the west, is a large ape-like creature covered with white fur. It is purported to inhabit the Himalayan mountain range. The yeti is one of the most popular supernatural creatures in the world and the most know worldwide from Nepal. Despite numerous expeditions no concrete evidence has ever been found to prove its existence. 

Item:

In Gurung culture, to protect from the Yeti and other supernatural and real creatures that inhabit the himalayan mountain range, people often carry a blessed charm that is said to look after you. 

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