The Sherpas are a Tibetan group who migrated to Nepal in the 1500s. They are well adapted to high altitude living and are often used as guides for Everest expeditions. They speak their own language and have a unique culture, including their cuisine and traditions. Tenzig Norgay, a Sherpa, led Edmund Hillary on his successful ascent of Everest in 1953. Sherpas are an important part of Nepal’s economy and history.
The Sherpas are a group of Tibetans who migrated across the Himalayas into Nepal around 1500 AD. Their oldest settlement is Pangboche, believed to have been built in the 1700s. They are well adapted to the demands of high altitude living and their homeliness with the Himalayan mountains has led to their adoption by the climbing community as guides.
When referring to a guide, “sherpa” is not capitalized, to distinguish ethnicity from profession. Sherpas who double as guides are in great demand, especially for Everest expeditions.
The word comes from the Tibetan shar meaning “East” and pa meaning “people”. Sherpas or Sharpas are “people from the east” as they traveled over the mountains to settle in Nepal. A male member of the group is called a Sherpa, while a female is a Sherpani.
Many are Buddhists, probably bringing the religion with them from Tibet. They live as farmers and cattle herders, and also spin and weave wool. Physically, these people tend to be stocky and very strong, with Mongolian features. They speak their own language, also called Sherpa, which is related to Tibetan. The culture includes its unique cuisine and traditions, developed over hundreds of years of Himalayan life.
The use of Sherpa people as guides began when European explorers began traveling through the Himalayas. The people were well adapted to act as guides as they knew the area very well, and were well adapted to the sometimes difficult condition. It has been suggested that they actually have increased lung capacity, allowing them to function in low oxygen conditions.
Over time, explorers began using the umbrella term to refer to any type of guide or porter. Ethnic Sherpas are generally preferred because they are very familiar with the weather and history of the Himalayas and offer many services beyond just carrying goods. They can help arrange food, network with other Sherpas, and offer extensive guiding services. Leading is a very respectable career that requires a high rate of pay for both men and women.
One of the most famous Sherpas who was also a Sherpa is Tenzig Norgay, who led Edmund Hillary on his successful ascent of Everest in 1953. Many Sherpas continue to live in the traditional way, supplementing their villages’ income with the activities of guides. Once Everest was successfully climbed, some even started informal competitions to see who could climb the mountain fastest or who could achieve the climb without supplemental oxygen. As a group, they are an important part of Nepal’s economy and history.
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