A Who's Who of World Mythology : Yeti


The yeti or the "abominable snowman" of the Himalayas is a humanoid creature of modern and ancient myth. Its name is raksha in some areas of Nepal, Sanskrit for demon. It, and its cousins throughout the world, have attained the status almost of urban legend.

The Yeti has been documented since the fourth century BC. Like the Sasquatch, the yeti are considered a shy race and most evidence for their existence comes from tracks found rather than actual sightings. The tracks appear to be similar to a bear's hind feet but with four distinct, humanoid toes. The depth of the tracks show the creature is rather heavy, and their average measurements, thirteen by eighteen inches, indicate the extreme height of the creature. Many dismiss its existence pointing to the possibility that footprints found may be the result of snow melting around the real print of a known animal rather than the actual footprint of an unknown creature. Yeti have been described with reddish to grey hair. Though a gentle creature like its Sasquatch cousin, it is capable of causing damage if startled. It also has a terrible scent just like its American cousin. It normally makes a strange ululating or whistling sound, but it may roar if startled. There is a rumor that it is fond of strong drink.

There is some conjecture that it is the descendant of a known species of animal. A race of apes called the gigantophitecus migrated to the Himalayas about 500,000 years ago, possibly giving rise to the yeti stories. Another theory is that the yeti are descendants of the A-o-re people who fled into the Himalayas long ago to escape their enemies.

The national animal of the state of Bhutan, three types of Yeti, a small yehteh, a medium mehteh, and a huge dzuteh have been immortalized in postage stamps. These yeti have also been called the rimi (two and a half meters tall), the nyalmot (four and a half meters tall), and the raksi-bombo (one and a half meters tall). In 1961, the Nepalese government even issued Yeti hunting licences to hunters for $10,000.