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Khyāh (Devanagari: ख्याः) (alternative spellings Khyā, Khyāk) (ख्याक) is a mythical humanoid creature in Nepalese folklore. It is depicted as a fat, hairy and short ape-like creature. Khyahs appear in children's stories popular in Newar society. A friendly Khyah fills the home with goodness while bad ones bring trouble. A white Khyah is believed to bring good luck while a black one can create problems. Encountering a Khyah can make one ill.〔Dietrich, Angela (1998). ''Tantric healing in the Kathmandu Valley: A comparative study of Hindu and Buddhist spiritual healing traditions in urban Nepalese society.'' Book Faith India. ISBN 8173031770, 9788173031779. Page 47.〕 In Newar culture, Khyahs attend to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and pictures of the deity show them guarding overflowing bags of coins.〔 Page 209.〕 Household Khyahs usually dwell in the attic and dark storerooms. They are said to fear electric lighting.〔Nanzan Daigaku. Jinruigaku Kenkyūjo, Nanzan Shūkyō Bunka Kenkyūjo (1996). ''Asian folklore studies, Volume 55.'' Nanzan University Institute of Anthropology. ISBN 9057890984, 9789057890987. Page 266.〕 The antithesis of the Khyah is the Kawanchā, a skeleton.〔Koizumi, Fumio (1983). ''Dance and music in South Asian drama: Chhau, Mahākālī pyākhan and Yakshagāna.'' Academia Music.〕〔Tambs-Lyche, Harald and Centre national de la recherche scientifique (France) (1999). ''The feminine sacred in South Asia.'' Manohar Publishers & Distributors. ISBN 8173042462, 9788173042461. Page 104.〕 Khyahs and Kawanchas appear as supporting characters in sacred dance dramas of the Newars.〔van den Hoek, A. W. (2004). ''Caturmāsa: celebrations of death in Kathmandu, Nepal.'' CNWS Publications. ISBN 9057890984, 9789057890987. Page 57.〕 Images of Khyahs and Kawanchas are also placed at temples as guardians of the shrine. ==Khyah dance== During the Yenya festival in Kathmandu, dance performances are held at market squares and the Durbar Square where actors dressed in Khyah costumes give dance performances. The dances, known as Khyāh Pyākhan (ख्याः प्याखं), consist of antics and tumbling. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Khyah (legendary creature)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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