The Sherpas are the Nepalese ethnic group residing in the Himalayas. These people are extremely popular for their mountain climbing skills, high endurance, and bravery. The Sherpa community is known as the “Guardian of the Himalayas.” They serve as guides or porters in mountaineering adventures such as trekking, mountain climbing, etc. Sherpas are considered the best guides for mountain climbing. The life of Sherpas is one of the most exciting things to observe because of their high-risk mountaineering life.
The Sherpa population is limited in numbers. The most significant number of Sherpas live in the Solu-khumbu region of Nepal. The name Sherpa is derived from the Tibetan words “Shar” and “pa,” which means “east” and “people.” The majority of Sherpas belong to Nepal, but they’re also in substantial numbers in India and Bhutan. Sherpas are believed to be originally from Kham in Tibet and migrated to the Solukhumbu region of Nepal. They inherited the Tibetan culture and spoke a language called Tibetan language. This blog will highlight everything about the life of sherpas, their daily life, and the importance of mountain climbing for the Sherpa people.
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Daily Life of Sherpas
The greatest number of Sherpas live in Nepal and speak Nepali language. Most of the Sherpa community resides in the Khumbu region of Nepal and is mainly engaged in tourism and mountaineering. Besides that, Sherpas also engage themselves in agriculture. Sherpa guides are considered one of the best in the world for mountaineering. During the peak seasons for mountaineering and trekking in the Himalayas, Sherpa porters and guides are highly occupied by foreign climbers. One of the most popular expeditions in the world, the Everest expedition, is all feasible because of the Sherpa guides.
In the context of the daily life of Sherpas people, the majority of the educated Sherpas have migrated to different cities and are living their own lives. However, the Sherpas who live in high altitudes are often engaged in tourism sectors. Since it isn’t easy for normal people to adapt to altitude, Sherpas run the local tea houses and guest houses for trekkers and climbers. The whole family contributes to their business, whereas the experienced family members work as guides and porters. During the off-season, they engage themselves in agriculture and other activities.
Importance of Sherpas in Mountain Climbing
If you ever hear the term mountain climbing, Sherpa guides and porters are definitely the first ones to strike your mind. Sherpas are native to the Himalayas and are the most skilled people for mountaineering. According to research in 2010, their genes have 30 genetic factors that make their bodies well-suited for high altitudes. The Sherpas are considered elite mountaineers and highly recommended for mountaineering. The Himalayan mountain consists of rugged terrain, which is very tricky for climbers. Having a Sherpa guide will help you quickly navigate those challenging ascents.
Another crucial benefit of having a Sherpa in mountaineering is that they are native to the Himalayas and are well adapted to challenging weather conditions. Their bodies can function more efficiently with less oxygen, reducing the risk of altitude sickness. Sherpas are technically skilled in setting ropes, fixing ladders, and navigating difficult passages. Moreover, Sherpas are the ones to rescue in unprecedented events such as avalanches, seracs, falls, etc.
Future of Sherpa Communities
The Sherpa community has evolved gradually in a short span of time. They began to migrate to different parts of the world. This doesn’t mean they have stopped sticking to their role in high-altitude expeditions, but in fact, Sherpas started exploring other opportunities that came their way. Many Sherpas who are into tourism and mountaineering expeditions have incorporated modern technology into their business.
A few years back, agriculture was another prominent occupation for the Sherpas, where they used to grow a few crops and gaze yaks and cows. This old-school scenario has changed drastically, and now the Sherpas are prioritizing themselves on education. They have started looking for other opportunities in life. However, factors like climate change, modern technology, and a fixed population have increased the threat to Sherpa’s way of life. The future of the Shepa people is in their hands, and they need to balance their traditions with modernization.
Cultural Heritage of Sherpas
The Sherpa community is deeply rooted in their Tibetan origins and the high-altitude environment of the Himalayas. They follow Tibetan Buddhism and are highly influenced by their belief, rituals, and daily practices. You can witness different monasteries and prayer flags while trekking in the Himalayas. Their native language belongs to the Tibeto-Burman family, which is another vital aspect of their heritage. You can experience festivals like Mani Ramdu, Losar, etc., if you visit the Sherpa community. Tengboche Monastery in the Everest region is one of the sacred sites of the Sherpa people.
Their traditional clothes, such as Chuba, reflect their rich cultural heritage. You can experience foods like Tsampa (barely floor) and butter tea, which are their authentic dishes. Monasteries and Prayer flags are common in Sherpa villages as they reflect their spiritual connection to the land and sky.
Sherpa Connection to Mountains
The Sherpas are rooted in the Himalayas. They are the natives for whom the Himalayas are not just the physical landscapes but a home where deities and spirits inhabit them. The highest peak in the world, Mount Everest, is revered as the “Goddess Mother of the World” by the Sherpa community. Their deep respect for the mountains reflects their way of life and their relationship with nature. The Sherpas worship the mountains and also hold high beliefs regarding the mountain peaks. Before every major climbing expedition, the sherpas perform Puja to seek blessings for safe passage and success. Sherpas are involved in every mountaineering expedition such as the Mount Everest Expedition, Kanchenjunga Expedition, etc.
Most Famous Sherpas of Nepal
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa
Tenzing Norgay Sherpa is one of the first people to reach the top of the world. Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, along with Sir Edmund Hillary, was the first to reach Mount Everest. He accomplished this feat on 29 May 1953. He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the 20th century. One unique feat about the Tenzing Norgay Sherpa is that he was unsure about his exact date of birth, and later, after his ascent of Mount Everest, he started celebrating his birthday on May 29.
Lakpa Sherpa
Lakpa Sherpa is the first female Nepali climber to successfully reach the top of Mount Everest and descend back to the Everest Base Camp. She holds the record of climbing Everest for ten times, which is the most for any female expeditor. Her first ascent to Mount Everest was on 18 May 2000, whereas her record-breaking 10th ascent was on 12 May 2022. She was also listed as one of the BBC’s 100 most influential and inspirational women in 2016. She has recently taken US citizenship and resides in the US.
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa
Pasang Lhamu Sherpa made history as the first Nepali woman to summit Mount Everest on April 22, 1993. Climbing Everest is an extraordinary challenge, and though she successfully reached the summit, severe weather conditions tragically prevented her from returning to base camp. Pasang Lhamu died during her descent despite her remarkable achievement, leaving a lasting legacy in the mountaineering world. She was the first woman to be decorated as “Nepal Tara” (Star) by the king of Nepal. Moreover, the International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature named a crater on the Moon’s South Pole “Lhamu” in honor of Pasang Lhamu Sherpa.
Pem Dorjee Sherpa
Pem Dorjee Sherpa is from one of the remote villages of Mount Everest. He gained worldwide recognition in 2005 when he and his wife, Moni Mulepati, became the first couple to exchange wedding vows on the summit of Everest, symbolizing their unity at the world’s highest point. He has been certified by the Trekking and mountaineering guide by the Nepalese government.
Mingma Gyabu Sherpa
Mingma Gyabu Sherpa is one of the most popular mountain climbers and rescue climbers of recent times. He holds the record as the youngest to climb all the fourteen eight-thousands peaks in the world. Moreover, he holds the record for the fastest time to climb K2 and Everest, which he climbed within a span of 61 days. The young Mingma was one of the 10 Nepali mountaineers who made history by climbing Mount K2 in winter. Mingma Gyabu Sherpa has been honored by the Union of Asian Alpine Associations (UAAA) with the prestigious Piolet d’Or Asia Award, earning the title of “Sherpa of the Year.”
Conclusion
To sum up, Sherpas is one of the most hardworking people, brave enough to tackle any kind of circumstance that comes their way. They are considered the guardians of the Himalayas. Sherpa mountaineers are considered the best guides who risk their life and death, ensuring that you have a successful ascent. The Sherpa society boasts Tibetan Buddhist culture and is one of the most admirable human beings with whom to interact. They are extremely welcoming and humble people in nature who carry a slight smile any time. Sherpa life is something you should experience once in your lifetime.
