Lakhe

Lakhe is a demon in Nepalese folklore. He is depicted with a ferocious face, protruding fangs and mane of red hair. Lakhes figure prominently in traditional Newar culture of Nepal Mandala. The Lakhe tradition is found in the Kathmandu Valley and other Newar settlements throughout Nepal Lakhes are said to be demons who used to live in the forests and later became protectors to the townspeople. A female Lakhe is known as Lasin. Performers wearing a Lakhe costume and mask perform dances on the streets and city squares during festivals. The Lakhe dance is characterised by wild movements and thumping music. The most famous Lakhe is Majipa Lakhey of Kathmandu who appears during the Yenya (Indra Jatra) festival in September. He is worshipped as a deity. City dwellers offer food and ritual items to him as he moves through the city accompanied by his musical band giving dance performances. During the dance, a small boy known as Jhyalincha taunts the Lakhe making him chase him in anger. Jhyalincha always manages to slip into the crowd and escape. Gunla Lakhe comes out during Gunla, the 10th month in the Nepal Sambat calendar which corresponds to August.