Lākhey (Nepal Bhasa: लाखे or 𑐮𑐵𑐏𑐾, lā-khé) (alternative spellings Lākhe, Lākhay, 𑐮𑐵𑐏𑐫𑑂 ) is the dance of a demon in the carnival of God.
Durbar Square, a historic plaza in Kathmandu, Nepal, facing ancient palaces and adorned by Hindu temples, is always full of eager crowds on the last day of Indra Jatra, the festival celebrating Indra, the Hindu king of heaven. On this divine stage, Lakhe the demon dances among gods and deities relentlessly and carelessly. He is depicted with a ferocious face, protruding fangs, and a mane of red or black hair.
Lakhes figure prominently in the traditional Newar culture of Nepal Mandala. The Lakhe tradition is found in the Kathmandu Valley and other Newar settlements throughout Nepal.[1] Lakhes are said to be demons who used to live in the forests and later became protectors to the townspeople.[2] A female Lakhe is known as Lasin (𑐮𑐳𑐶𑑄).
The other common legendary being in Nepalese folklore is the Khyāh, who is depicted as a fat, hairy ape-like creature.
- ^ Gurung, Anuj (Spring 2009). "A Demon Among Deities". Cultural Survival. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
- ^ Trussler, Simon and Barker, Clive (1 September 2003). New Theatre Quarterly 74, Volume 19. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521535891, 9780521535892. Page 127.