What is "khyah"

Khyāh ( Devanagari: ख्याः) (alternative spellings Khyā, Khyāk) 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.

In Newar culture, Khyahs attend to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and pictures of the deity show them guarding overflowing bags of coins. Household Khyahs usually dwell in the attic and dark storerooms. They are said to fear electric lighting.

The antithesis of the Khyah is the Kawanchā, a skeleton. Khyahs and Kawanchas appear as supporting characters in sacred dance dramas of the Newars. Images of Khyahs and Kawanchas are also placed at temples as guardians of the shrine.