A large number of intriguing masks such this began to appear in the markets of Kathmandu several decades ago, and are thought to originate from remote villages of Nepal’s middle mountain ranges. Differing in appearance from the Himalayan masks associated with Tantric Buddhism and Cham dances, such masks have been described as “tribal” or “primitive,” in the absence of specific information regarding their usage. Recent research by French scholars has proposed that these masks, some of which have been carbon dated to as early as the fifteenth century, were worn by clown and buffoon characters in mimes performed during New Year, or at other seasonal celebrations such as those of the harvest festival. These rather baudy performances generate much laughter among the crowds, and also serve to scare away evil spirits.