Tag Archives: Kathmandu

Lakhe (Bibaswan Khadka)

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)

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)

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):