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):