Sherpa people are famous for their mountaineering exploits, resilience, and humble way of life. Regarded as the Guardians of the Himalayas, their lives revolve around tradition, culture, and the ability to take extreme risks. Today, successful expeditions in the Himalayas are considered near impossible without the involvement of the Sherpas. Over the years, they have built the reputation of being the toughest climbers with deep-rooted connections to the mountains.
Sherpas primarily live in the Himalayan villages of Eastern Nepal. Villages around the Everest and Khumbu regions are known to have bustling Sherpa settlements. Most of them are involved in mountaineering and tourism. Tibetan Buddhism influences their culture and tradition. From their roles as expert mountaineers guiding climbers and a rich cultural heritage, the Sherpas define the spirit of the Himalayas.
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Sherpas History
The word ‘Sherpa‘ comes from the Tibetan word ‘Sharwa,’ literally meaning Eastern people. The Sherpa trace their roots back to Kham in Tibet. The Mahayana Buddhism conflict forced the four clans, Minyakpa, Thimmi, Lamasherwa, and Chawa, to migrate towards Solu in the 13th and 14th centuries. By the start of the 15th century, Sherpas had created a stable and autonomous village in the Khumbu region. Today, the four fundamental clans have split into more than 200 clans.
According to the oral history of the Sherpas, the four clans migrated through various parts of Tibet, such as Tsang. The group eventually crossed the Himalayas and settled in the Khumbu region. Over the years, the Sherpas developed their distinct cultural identity and close affinity towards the mountains. They have their own language, Sherpa, written in Tibetan and Devanagari.
Sherpa People | Culture & Festival They Celebrate
Mani Rimdu
Mani Rimdu is a 19-day festival celebrated in the Himalayan region of Nepal. It celebrates Guru Rinpoche Padmasamvava’s founding of Buddhism. Mani Rimdu is observed according to the Tibetan Lunar calendar. The festival commences on the first day of the tenth month, which generally falls between October and November. The monks impart Buddhist teachings and perform spiritual ceremonies.
Lhosar
Gyalpo Lhosar is the most important festival in the region. The festival celebrates the new year as per the Tibetan calendar. It is celebrated for two weeks, with locals sharing gifts and spending time with family and well-wishers. People gather to share a drink, Changkol, and a special Khapse dish. The traditional Sherpa dance, Syabru, is performed at the end of the ceremonies.
Do Sherpas follow Buddhism?
Sherpas share a close bond with Tibet. Hence, Tibet’s cultural influence is seen throughout the Khumbu region. Sherpa people primarily practice Tibetan Buddhism. They have been adherents of the Nyingmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Food Eaten By Sherpa People
Sherpa cuisine is influenced by the Himalayan terrain and Tibeto-Nepali tradition. Due to the harshness of the mountains, Sherpas rely on food to provide energy and warmth. Likewise, Sherpa settlements are located in remote areas. Green pastures are scarce in the region. As such, agriculture and farming are tough in the alpine conditions. Being secluded from the rest of the region, food supplies take days to reach the areas. As a result, Sherpas rely on mountain crops.
Rildok, Dhido, and Tsampa are the staple foods in the Sherpa settlements. Rildok is a pancake-like food made from mashed potatoes and is one of the most popular Sherpa dishes. Soups and stews form a considerable part of the Sherpa’s daily meal. Thukpa, a noodle soup, Sherpa stew, a thick vegetable soup, and a butter tea called Su Cha are widely consumed. Sherpas also consume yak meat, momos, and dried meat.
Typical Day in a life of sherpas
Sherpas’ daily lives are influenced by the alpine environment, Tibetan culture, and Buddhist beliefs. They were involved in trade, agriculture, and farming before the rise of mountaineering and tourism in the mid-20th century. Since then, their expertise in the Himalayas has been well sought after. Most of them work as guides, porters, cooks, and climbers. Mountaineering has recently become a part of Sherpa’s identity.
Sherpas migrate seasonally to meet seasonal and tourism demands. The harsh Himalayan climate forces remote villages to descend. Also, most Sherpas migrate to fertile and arable land during the farming season. The architecture of Sherpa houses, monasteries, temples, and other buildings in the Khumbu region is designed to withstand the harshness of mountains. Windows and doors are small to minimize heat loss. Most houses have a hearth and a separate prayer room.
Why Sherpas Are Called The Guardians of the Himalayas?
Sherpas are famous for their exceptional mountaineering skills. They have been involved in various successful expeditions to high-altitude mountains like Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, etc. Their knowledge and understanding of these mountains are unrivaled in the world. Along with mountaineering, Sherpas are vocal about conserving the ecosystem in the Himalayas. They know the alpine heights’ rugged terrain, alien climate, and weather patterns.
In mountaineering expeditions, Sherpa guides are hired to maintain trails, ropes, pathways, and camps. As foremen in the Himalayan expeditions, Sherpas ensure safe passage through the terrain. Due to their deep connection and leadership abilities in the Himalayas, Sherpas are called the Guardians of the Himalayas.
Why Sherpas Are Called Life Savers
Due to dependence on Sherpas for successful mountaineering expeditions, Sherpas earned Life Savers’s nickname. Outdoor adventure in the Himalayas remains one of the most daunting tasks on the planet. The extreme climate, unpredictable weather patterns, alpine heights, and rugged terrain make expeditions difficult. However, Sherpas have mastered surviving through the extremities and accomplishing the journey. The Sherpas are the protectors and lifesavers during the Himalayan expeditions.
Sherpas and Connection of Everest Region
Historically, Sherpas relied on trade and business with Tibet as a source of income. However, as Chinese influence grew in the region, business relations with Tibet started to falter. By the mid-20th century, sherpas were forced to search for alternative professions. As tourism and mountaineering grew in the Khumbu region, Sherpas quickly mastered the art of scaling Himalayan peaks.
The first successful expedition to Everest by Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary changed the landscape in the region. Since then, Sherpas have been the backbone of the expeditions, particularly in the Everest region. They function as the team lead, foreman, guides, cooks, porters, and emergency responders. Due to their unique ability to adapt and mountaineering expertise, Sherpas are widely considered the best climbers on the planet.
Challenged Faced By Sherpas
The harsh Himalayan climate troubles the daily lives of the Sherpas. The high altitude increases the risk of altitude sickness, avalanches, extreme cold temperatures, and heavy snowfall. Due to the remoteness of the Khumbu region, Sherpas have limited access to healthcare, education, and other facilities. Sherpas are known to be fearless climbers, not afraid to risk their lives if needed.
Summiting the peaks in the Himalayas, such as Everest, Lhotse, Makalu, etc., involves navigating the highly treacherous terrain. Such high altitude region of the Himalayas is affected by avalanches, icefalls, and crevasses. Sherpa guides are often responsible for leading such challenging expeditions. Their role as a team leader involves the high-risk task of setting up the ropes and pathways for the rest of the expedition. The debate surrounding their wage makes waves frequently. While the reputed Sherpas working in the frontline make handsome sums, cooks, porters, etc., complain about the pay disparity.
Climate Change in the Himalayas
Climate change in the Himalayas has affected the daily life of the Sherpas in the Himalayas. The Himalayas’ fragile ecosystem puts the Sherpas’ socio-economic aspects at risk. The rising global temperature means the snowcapped peaks are melting alarmingly. Further, the risk of glacier lake outburst floods puts many neighboring villages at the cusp of destruction. Climate change also threatens to swipe away Sherpa’s bread and butter, i.e., mountaineering and tourism.
Is modernization affecting Sherpa communities?
Modernization has brought both opportunities and challenges to Sherpa communities. While the Sherpas are increasingly connected with the rest of the world due to technological advancements, it has also threatened to disrupt the traditional way of a Sherpa’s life. While many youths continue to live a conventional way of life, some newer generations are pursuing modern careers in the corporate world, tourism, education, and business. Modernization has improved the educational access for the Sherpas. As a result of the increasing exposure to the outside world, young Sherpas leave their traditional lifestyle and village behind to start a different life. While Sherpa’s culture is evolving due to modernization, preserving the essence of their tradition and striking the right balance between modernization and tradition is essential.
Who are the most famous Sherpas in history?
Various Sherpas have etched their names in history books, especially mountaineering. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa successfully summited the highest peak in the world, Everest, for the first time. Apa Sherpa climbed Everest 21 times, whereas Kami Rita Sherpa holds the record for the most successful expedition, with 28 summits. Nicknamed ‘Snow Leopard,’ Ang Rita Sherpa holds the distinction of climbing Everest 10 times without supplementary oxygen.
What did Tenzing Norgay achieve?
Along with Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay Sherpa successfully summited Mt. Everest for the first time on May 29, 1953. The historic achievement etched Tenzing’s name in the history books. Additionally, he promoted tourism and mountaineering in the Himalayas, leading numerous successful expeditions.
How many times has Apa Sherpa climbed Everest?
Apa Sherpa has climbed Everest 21 times. Native to the Khumbu region, Apa started working in the mountaineering industry at a very young. The early age exposure helped him in his successful expeditions. He first summited the peak in 1990. He retired from mountaineering after his last summit ascent in 2011.
How can you support Sherpa communities?
Various renowned figures have launched numerous trusts and communities to help the Sherpas. Himalayan Trust, established by Sir Edmund Hillary, aims to support education, healthcare, and infrastructure in the Everest region. After his retirement, Apa Sherpa established the Apa Sherpa Foundation to educate children in remote villages. Pasang Lhamu Foundation promotes women’s empowerment and equality in remote Himalayan villages. Various individuals voluntarily donate funds to help make changes in the lives of the Sherpas.
Ethical tourism can benefit the Sherpa communities if done responsibly. Sherpas rely primarily on environmental tourism. Promoting eco-friendly trek companies can reduce the ecological destruction of the region. Further, ensuring transparency in payments and insurance allows Sherpas to vow mountaineering as a passion and profession. The government should educate tourists about the local culture and environmental stability. Ethical tourists are conscious of environmental conservation and promote local culture.
The Sherpa Legacy
The legacy of the Sherpas is built on courage, humility, and cultural richness. Their contribution to environmental conservation and mountaineering has left a distinct mark. They have become synonymous with mountaineering and extreme sports. Ever since the first ascent of Everest, Sherpa’s skill and knowledge of the Himalayas have been crucial for successful expeditions.Â
The culture, tradition, and social structure of the Sherpas add uniqueness to their lifestyle. Their deeply rooted Buddhist beliefs shape their worldviews and practices. Their proactiveness toward environmental conservation and sustainability offers an example of how humanity can coexist with nature. The numerous successful mountaineering attempts also contribute to the Sherpa’s ever-growing legacy.
Why are Sherpas important to Nepal?
Sherpas are essential to the Nepalese community. Their language, social structure, tradition, culture, and way of life have given a new identity to Nepal’s diversity. The various mountaineering records on their name added a newfound identity to the country as a whole. Their resilience, adaptability, perseverance, and mental and physical strength have inspired millions worldwide.
Various activists have been supporting Sherpa initiatives to promote the culture and tradition of the Sherpa. Governments and agencies can promote the Sagarmatha National Park Museum globally. The Sherpa culture and way of life teach the lessons of humility, leadership, and gratitude. The spirit of the Sherpas inspires many to live their lives with gratitude and responsibility.
Contributions to the Nepali Economy and Tourism
Sherpas are the cornerstone of the tourism and mountaineering sector of Nepal. Their efforts toward adventure tourism and the environment have helped elevate Nepal as the hub of mountaineering tourism and trekking. Due to the growing number of visitors in the region, the economy has been bolstered directly. It has generated numerous employment opportunities for individuals, businesses, and agencies. Their contributions to the sector have helped solidify mountaineering as a professional career.