Lemlemmā is a divine being capable of taking on various forms. Lemlemmā is a significant figure in Kirat Rai mythology.

 **Lemlemmā** is a word from the Bantawa language. "Lemlemmā" refers to a sweet, enchanting, and influential female figure who speaks with a captivating sweetness and has the power to charm and influence others. Lemlemmā is a divine being capable of taking on various forms.  

The Kirat Rai community is rich in myths and legends. Numerous myths have been passed down through generations in this community, many of which are related to animals, plants, stones, rivers, and streams. Other myths revolve around supernatural entities such as ghosts, spirits, demons, and witches.  

In the past, the primary means of livelihood for people were agriculture, animal husbandry, and hunting. To sustain their lives, people had to engage in farming, grazing livestock, collecting grass and firewood, and hunting.  

At night, to protect their livestock from attacks by tigers and bears, people would gather around large bonfires, joining hands and sharing sweet, entertaining, and thrilling myths. These stories added excitement and joy to their lives, making their evenings lively and engaging.  

One of the most powerful characters in these myths is **Lemlemmā**.  

Even today, in the areas inhabited by the Kirat Rai people, places named after Lemlemmā are common, such as **Lemlemmā Basne**, **Lemlemmā Odhār**, **Lemlemmā Hill**, **Lemlemmā Dulo**,  **Lemlemmā Dhiki** etc.

Among these, the **Lemlemmā Hut Dulo** located in Gadḍikhān, Ward No. 2 of Amchok Village Municipality in Bhojpur District, is particularly famous at the local level. Myths abound about how Lemlemmā stayed in this cave for a long time and tormented the villagers nearby.  

When children from the surrounding villages began to disappear, a local man devised a clever plan. He covered his body with nettles and pretended to be dead, lying near his house.  

Two Lemlemmā figures approached, talking among themselves. Seeing the man lying motionless and silent, they assumed he was dead and decided to take him to the Lemlemmā Hut Dulo. However, the entrance to the cave was too small, making it difficult to push him inside. While they struggled, the man seized the opportunity, escaped, and returned to the village.  

This story is one of the many fascinating myths surrounding Lemlemmā, showcasing the creativity and cultural richness of the Kirat Rai people.

He discovered that the reason children were disappearing in the village was due to the Lemlemmā and found the place where they lived. After this, he consulted with the villagers and gathered chilli peppers from all over the village. Together, the villagers burned the chili peppers to create smoke. Some Lemlemmā fled due to the chilli smoke, while others died inside the cave.  

After this incident, children stopped disappearing in the village. This is just one of the many myths about Lemlemmā. There are numerous such myths related to Lemlemmā in the villages. In Kirat Rai mythology, Lemlemmā is a central figure.  

In the past, in Kirat villages, when small children cried excessively, mothers would scare them by saying, "Lemlemmā is coming to take you away!" Hearing the name Lemlemmā, the children would immediately quiet down. At that time, Lemlemmā was a well-known and feared character.  

Lemlemmā is described as a being with a human body but possessing miraculous powers. According to myths, she would live in specific places near hills, mountains, rivers, and streams, taking on a human form. In the myths, Lemlemmā is portrayed as a female figure.  

She is described as having long black hair, sagging breasts, and her legs turned backward. When placing food, she would do so upside down. Lemlemmā would usually stay in secluded areas like rivers and streams during the day.  

In the past, the Rai people would not go to such places alone. If they had to go, they would go in groups. There was no sure way to know if Lemlemmā was nearby. To detect her presence, one had to either scream loudly or sit on a rock covered with hair. Lemlemmā would move around making a "tirit... tirit..." sound.  

These myths reflect the rich cultural heritage and imagination of the Kirat Rai people, with Lemlemmā being a fascinating and mysterious character in their folklore.

Lemlemmā's feeding grounds were also specific. From time to time, she would roam the villages searching for children to eat. During these times, she would take on the exact appearance of the child's mother. When the children, mistaking her for their mother, would approach her, she would lure them away and devour them. Parents would advise their children to recognize Lemlemmā by her habit of placing things upside down and her backward-facing feet. She was a constant threat to adults as well, never sparing anyone she encountered alone in secluded places.  

Her preferred foods included frogs, small crabs, taro, and the milk of cows and buffaloes, which she would milk at night. Apart from these, she also ate coarse millet. This is why the Bantawa Rai people still refer to millet as "Lemlemmā Khukṣī" (Lemlemmā's millet) to this day.  

The male counterpart of Lemlemmā is called **Ban Jhākrī**. Unlike Lemlemmā, Jhākrī is portrayed in a positive light and is considered a source of knowledge and wisdom.  

This Ban Jhākrī would also abduct children from villages and take them to the forest. However, unlike Lemlemmā, he did not take them to eat but to teach them his mystical knowledge. After a few days or months, he would train the child in his craft, turning them into powerful shamans or Jhākrīs, and then return them to the place from where they were taken. It is believed that those initiated by Jhākrī become highly powerful.  

Even today, in Bhojpur District, within the former Basikhora-4 area of Ram Prasad Rai Rural Municipality, a large Jhākrī stone can be found. This stone is a testament to the enduring legacy of these myths.  

However, the once highly popular myth of Lemlemmā in Kirat Rai villages is now on the verge of fading away. This disappearance signifies the loss of a vibrant thread from the rich tapestry of Kirat indigenous literature.  

The story of Lemlemmā and Ban Jhākrī reflects the deep cultural and spiritual beliefs of the Kirat Rai people, showcasing their connection to nature, mysticism, and the supernatural. Preserving these myths is crucial to maintaining the cultural heritage and identity of the Kirat Rai community.

In reality, the preservation of folk literature, such as myths and legends, reflects the development of humanity and the social environment of the time. Therefore, safeguarding these mythical and tangible folk literatures is a responsibility and necessity that today's youth must shoulder. Not only that, but these myths can also be brought to life by conceptualizing them in specific locations through paintings, sculptures, and other forms of art. Establishing such displays in tourist areas can generate economic benefits at the local level.  

**Story Source:**  

Historian and Writer Chandra Kumar Rai (Hatuwali)