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Kakakool (Bibaswan Khadka)

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General Information about Item:

Superstition

Language: English

Culture of Origin: Nepali

Informant: NR

Date Collected: 10-22-2021

Informant Data:

NR was born in Dhapakhel, Nepal on June 15th, 1999 and lives in Thasikhel, Nepal. She is currently pursuing a masters degree in Business Administration. NR has one older brother BR. She enjoys watching movies, and likes tasting new foods. 

Contextual Data:

Social Context:

NR was taught about Kakakool by her older brother. According to her older brother Kakakool was once a man who died because of thirst. Due to this if someone asks for water and one does not give it to them, Kakakool will haunt them. NR does not know if this is a tale her brother made up himself to make her get him water or whether it is actually true. 

Cultural Context:

Older siblings often try to get their younger siblings to do chores for them. Oftentimes they may make up fake consequences such as monsters to scare younger siblings who may not know any better. 

Item:

If someone asks you for water, get them the water, or Kakakool will haunt you. 

Yeti (Bibawan Khadka)

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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. 

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):

How to see a Yeti… – Snow Cat Travel

Lakhe (Bibaswan Khadka)

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General Information about Item:

Superstition

Language: English

Culture of Origin: Nepali, ethnically Newari

Informant: BK

Date Collected: 10-25-2021

Informant Data:

BK was born in Kathmandu, Nepal on Sept 20th, 1968. He grew up in Dhapakhel, Nepal. Growing up in Dhapakhel, Nepal he was exposed to a lot of ethnically Newari culture due to the large Newari population in Dhapakhel. BK speaks fluent Newari along with English, Hindi and Nepali. After graduating from college he served in the military before moving to America. In America, BK calls Davenport, Iowa his home. He has 2 kids, a son and a daughter who are both in their 20s. BK’s hobbies include running, reading history and travelling.

Contextual Data:

Social Context:

BK grew up in Dhapakhel, Nepal. Nepal is an ethnically diverse country. BK himself is ethnically Chettri but grew up in Dhapakhel which has a big ethnically Newari population. Because of this he was exposed to a lot of Newari culture and festivals. From this he came to know about the Lakhe, which is a demon clown in Newari culture,

Cultural Context:

In Newari culture, the Lakhe is a demon clown. It is said to go from house to house and kidnap children who do not behave and eat them. The existence of the Lakhe is used similarly to many other cultures to scare children into behaving well. Every year during Newari holidays people dress up in scary Lakhe costumes and go house to house and host dances to scare little kids.

Item:

If you are a kid you better behave well or the Lakhe will kidnap you and eat you. 

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):

Naag (Bibaswan Khadka)

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General Information about Item:

Superstition

Language: English

Culture of Origin: Nepali

Informant: AK

Date Collected: 10-28-2021

Informant Data:

AK was born in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 12th, 1996. She grew up in Nepal before immigrating to the USA when she was 16. In America, AK calls Davenport, Iowa her hometown. She has one younger brother, BK, who is 4 years younger than her. AK’s hobbies include painting, running, and netflix. 

Contextual Data:

Social Context:

AK grew up in Kathmandu, Nepal. In Kathmandu, Naag Daha is a popular tourist attraction and lake. It literally translates to the lake of the Naag. The lake has a notorious reputation for drowning people who swim in it, especially young kids due to its depth. Thus, many people say that it is the Naag that pulls kids down into the lake. AK learnt about this through her mom. Nobody really remembers when the drownings started but every year 2 to 3 people drown in the lake. 

Cultural Context:

The Naag is a giant Cobra-like snake that calls the lake Naag Daha its home. It is said to live deep beneath the lake. The Naag can be both benevolent and malevolent depending on the context. Sometimes it is known to protect while other times it is known to kill. Culturally lakes and bodies of water are fun but also dangerous places due to the drowning hazard so it is not surprising that the Naag is seen as both benevolent and malevolent. 

Item:

One should not swim in the deep end of the Naag Daha unless they want to get pulled down and drowned by the Naag. 

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):

Bhoot (Bibaswan Khadka)

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General Information about Item:

Superstition
Language: English
Culture of Origin: Nepali
Informant: BK
Date Collected: 10-30-2021

Informant Data:

BK was born in Kathmandu, Nepal on April 3rd, 2000. He grew up in Nepal before immigrating to the USA with his family when he was 13. In America, BK calls Davenport, Iowa his hometown. BK is currently a senior at Dartmouth College majoring in Computer Science. He has one older sister, AK, who is 4 years older than him. BK’s hobbies include soccer, running, and playing various video games. 

Contextual Data:

Social Context:

BK grew up in Nepal. In Nepal Bhoot are said to stalk the streets at night. Bhoot are supernatural creatures similar to ghosts that bring misfortune if they enter or house. To protect against Bhoot many households draw a swastika on their front door. These swastikas can range from simple posters to elaborate wood carvings. BK grew up in Nepal and saw these designs almost everyday due to how common they are in the country. 

Cultural Context:

The swastika has been used as a symbol for hundreds of years. In the country the symbol is known as a symbol of divinity, spirituality and protection. While in the West the symbol is largely associated with Nazism, the symbol has kept its historic meaning in much of Nepal and Asia. 

Item:

In order to prevent Bhoot from entering your household place a swastika on your front door. When night falls and the Bhoot comes out they will not be able to come into your home due to the divine power of the symbol. 

Associated file (a video, audio, or image file):