Sherpa Replacement Grade
Sherpa History
Sherpa translates to mean ‘easterner’. The name was created when 600 years ago people began to migrate from Tibet to the mountains in Nepal. This was a time of great unrest in Tibet and many lamas (Tibetan priests of Lamaism), their families and their followers left their homes looking for new places to live. Many eventually settled in the mountains of northern Nepal.
Sherpa’s are among the world’s most famous Nepalese people and being the world’s highest living population this has made them born mountaineers. It was their fantastic mountaineering prowess and their hardiness which brought them to the attention of early European climbers.
Approximately 30,000 Sherpa’s lie in Nepal today and since the 1950s, tourism has become the dominant source of employment and income in the area.
Economics
In economic terms, Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world, but tourism has enabled the Everest region to become one of the wealthiest areas in Nepal. Having traditionally worked as traders, farmers and religious folk, leading climbs and treks has recently become the foundation of Sherpa economy. In the 1970s most trekkers toured the regions as members of large, catered camping groups with Sherpa staff and porters. Today Sherpa’s are among the most accomplished mountaineers so they often serve as guides to visitors with their continued roles in carrying loads, fixing ropes, setting camps and generally tending to climbing teams. This has earned the Sherpa people a place of unequalled respect. They have also helped to create an industry that has brought the world to some of Nepal’s most isolated regions. In a Sherpa’s home, Everest has become not only a spiritual centre but a financial one as well.
Sherpa Language
The Sherpa language is only a spoken language; however in recent years there have been attempts to introduce a written form based on Tibetan script. This is not an easy undertaking as the Sherpa language originates from the old Tibetan religious books and goes back to Tibetan dialect spoken in eastern provinces in the 15th century, but it has developed its own way in the last 500 years or so. So, it must be regarded as a language in its own right separate from modern Tibetan. Even within the Sherpa regions there are lots of regional differences as well as a significant influence from other languages such as Newar, Nepali, Tamang and English.
In many cultures people share the same common names, but Sherpa’s have especially similar names as many are name after the day of the week they are born on: Sunday – Nima, Monday – Dawa, Tuesday – Mingma, Wednesday – Lhakpa,Thursday – Phurba, Friday – Pasang, Saturday - Pemba
Sherpa Culture
Most Sherpa’s now live in North-Eastern Nepal’s near Mount Everest. They live in clans and are completely unfamiliar with our society’s hierarchal systems. Sherpa’s are extremely hard workers and where many of their villages are located farming is incredibly difficult. Although they live on the higher grounds their crops are usually on the lower planes, with their most productive season being in the summer monsoon, and the least from June to September.
When it comes to division of labour, trading and wage labour are predominantly male activities, with ploughing being assigned exclusively to men. Other agricultural and pastoral labour is shared by both sexes, and often women do the major share while the men are trekking.
The Sherpa people follow the Buddhist religion and while this and many other traditional practices haven’t changed the arrival of Westerners have changed parts of their lifestyle forever. This is primarily the shift from regarding climbing the mountains as blasphemous, to regarding it as a source of economic opportunity and pride. This radical change from traditional farmers and tradesmen has brought the Sherpa’s worldwide fame and has become the mainstay of their economy and made their lives easier.
The first notable and successful Sherpa climber was Tangzing Norgay who climbed Everest a number of times but none more notable then when he reached the top with Sir Edmund Hillary in 1953. Ever since Sherpa’s have embraced mountaineering and after many years as only being recorded in the footnotes in history they are finally being given full credit.
Traditional Dress, Homes And Diet
The traditional Sherpa clothing is similar to that of Tibetans. The basic garment, the chuba, originated in the cold climates of Tibet. It is a warm ankles length robe, bound at the waist by a long sash. The chubas upper proportion becomes a large pocket for everything from money to bowls; chubas were made from strips of hand-woven wooden cloth.
When the first Sherpa’s settled their homes were bamboo huts. Gradually they became half stone, half split wooden logs. Eventually they became stone houses and later two story buildings began to be built. The design of the Lha-Khang (chapel) was also brought from Tibet which serves as a reminder of spiritual matters in every home.
The major part of a Sherpa’s production consists of field agriculture. Potatoes are their main staple, with barely, wheat varieties and garden vegetables. No machinery is used for this farming, ploughing is done with a single-bladed plough drawn by an ox. Another main component is livestock herding for dairy products such as butter and yogurt. Rice and fruit are bought from regional markets. Sherpa’s, being Buddhist, don’t slaughter animals and don’t generally eat meat, though they will eat meat bought at a market which was slaughtered by a non-Sherpa.
Sherpa Religion
The Sherpa religion is a mixture of Buddhist tradition and animistic faith (in its basic form the belief all living things are spirits and they are all equal) which have evolved from centuries of myths, legends and the strong influence of religion. Nyingmapa Buddhism attempts to cover the full potential of a person’s conscious mind through meditation, study and work.
As more people settled in the area, traditions began which helped unite the villages. Daily life began, and continues, to revolve around the village gompa (temple) and their Buddhist beliefs are present in their daily activities of farming, herding and trading.
It wasn’t until contact with Westerners was made that Sherpa’s ventured into the high peaks of the mountains as they revere the mountains as dwelling places of the gods and goddesses. Mount Everest, or Chomolungma, means ‘Goddess Mother Of The Land ‘in Tibetan.
Although Everest now sees many human footprints, the Sherpa’s still regard it as a holy place and before all modern day expeditions begin a Puja ceremony is conducted. Here the Sherpa’s and other team members leave offerings of food and drink and pay homage to the gods of the mountains, hoping to remain in their graces during their climb
During the ceremony pray flags are raised. Each flag is a different colour representing the elements: Blue – Space White – Water Red – Fire Green – Air Yellow – Earth It is believed when the wind blows it send the prayer out across the world. These prayers are selfless and for all.
The effects of tourism on religious traditions suggest that many Sherpa’s have managed to adapt to tourism successfully without ant great loss of culture. Since the expeditions to Mount Everest, Sherpa’s have become a ‘celebrated people’ and receive a great deal of international fame. The Sherpa’s themselves are aware of the fascination with their culture and have been able to direct this interest towards the building and repair of local monasteries.
Sherpa Questions
- What does ‘Sherpa’ translate as?
- What was it that brought the Sherpa people to the attention of early European climbers?
- Approximately, how many Sherpa's live in Nepal today?
- What has brought wealth to the Everest region of poor Nepal?
- What did Sherpa's traditionally work as?
- How is Everest regarded in Sherpa homes today?
- What is unusual about the Sherpa language?
- Where do most Sherpa's live today?
- Describe how Sherpa's divide their work
- Who was Tangzing Norgay?
- What is the Sherpa's basic garment called?
- How has Sherpa's housing changed?
- Why was climbing the mountains once thought to be blasphemous?
- What is a Puja ceremony? When does it take place?
- What are prayer flags? How do they ‘work’?