Sherpa people facts for kids
| ཤར་པ། shar pa |
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|---|---|
Young Sherpas in traditional attire at the West Bengal Sherpa Cultural Board
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| Regions with significant populations | |
| Nepal | 290,637 |
| India | 75,000 (above) |
| Bhutan | 11,700 |
| United States | 17,800 |
| China | 47,000 |
| Languages | |
| Sherpa, Tibetan, Nepali | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Buddhism (98.9%). Minorities: Christianity and Bön | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tibetans, Tamang, Rai, Hyolmo, Jirels, and other Tibeto-Burman groups | |
The Sherpa people (Standard Tibetan: ཤར་པ།, romanized: shar pa) are a special group of people. They live high in the Himalayas mountains of Nepal, India, and China. Most Sherpas live in eastern Nepal, in areas like Solukhumbu. They also live near Kathmandu and in parts of Bhutan and India.
Sherpas are famous for their amazing skills in mountaineering. Many work as guides for climbers on huge mountains like Mount Everest. Their language, Sherpa, is related to Tibetan. They also speak Nepali. Sherpas build special temples called gompas where they follow their local traditions.
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Discovering Sherpa History
Sherpas are descendants of people who moved from Kham in Tibet. They settled in the Himalayas near Mount Everest a long time ago. This area is along the border between Nepal and China. It is a beautiful and challenging place to live.
Around the 13th and 14th centuries, some Sherpas moved from Tibet to Nepal. This was possibly due to differences with certain Buddhist groups. The word Sherpa comes from Tibetan words meaning "eastern people." This suggests they came from eastern Tibet.
How Sherpas Adapt to High Mountains
Sherpas have lived in high mountains for many generations. Their bodies have adapted to these conditions. Scientists have found that Sherpas have special genes. These genes help their bodies use oxygen very well. This is why they are so good at climbing at high altitudes. This special ability helps them breathe easily where the air is thin.
Sherpas: Masters of Mountain Climbing
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Many Sherpas are expert mountain climbers. They are very important guides for people exploring the Himalayas. They help climbers find safe paths through dangerous peaks and passes. In 1953, the famous Sherpa mountaineer Tenzing Norgay was one of the first two people to reach the top of Mount Everest.
Because of their amazing skills, the word "Sherpa" is sometimes used for any guide or helper on a mountain. It can even mean a mentor in other situations. Sherpas are known worldwide for being strong, knowledgeable, and experienced in high mountains.
Facing Dangers on Mount Everest
Climbing Mount Everest is very dangerous. Sherpa guides often face the biggest risks. For example, the Khumbu Icefall is a very tricky part of the climb. It is like a frozen waterfall that is always moving. Climbers must cross ladders over deep cracks and walk under huge blocks of ice. These can collapse at any time.
In 2014, a tragic avalanche happened in the Khumbu Icefall. It sadly took the lives of 16 Nepalese Sherpa guides. Another avalanche in 2015, caused by a big earthquake, also led to many deaths at Everest base camp. These events showed how risky their work is.
After these tragedies, Sherpa guides asked for better support and safer working conditions. They wanted the government to help families of those who were hurt or died. Sherpas often make many trips through dangerous areas. They carry heavy gear for climbers. This is a big part of their job. Their bravery and hard work are essential for Everest expeditions.
Sherpa Beliefs and Traditions
Sherpas follow a type of Buddhism called Nyingma. This is the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. It was started by a wise teacher named Padmasambhava a long time ago. Nyingma Buddhism teaches about finding inner peace and understanding.
Sherpas also believe that mountains, caves, and forests are home to gods and spirits. They respect these places deeply. Many Himalayan mountains are considered sacred. For example, they call Mount Everest "Chomolungma," which means "mother of the world." They believe that Mount Makalu is the home of the deity Shankar.
Village spiritual leaders, called lamas, guide daily religious life. They lead ceremonies and rituals. Sherpas also have special temples called gompas. These are places for prayer and learning. Some gompas are monasteries where monks live a quiet life to seek spiritual understanding.
Protecting Sacred Mountains: Sagarmatha National Park
Mount Everest is located in Sagarmatha National Park. This park is a very sacred place for local Sherpas. They believe it is inhabited by special beings. Sherpas value all life and try to avoid harming living creatures.
Many tourists visit Mount Everest. Sometimes, they might accidentally disturb the sacred land. For example, finding firewood can be a problem. Some tourists cut down trees, which goes against Sherpa spiritual beliefs. Before climbing, Sherpas perform a special ritual. They ask the mountain for permission to climb it. This shows their deep respect for nature.
Park managers work with Sherpa leaders to protect the park. They create groups where Sherpas can share their ideas. This helps make sure that the park is managed in a way that respects Sherpa traditions.
Traditional Sherpa Clothing
Sherpa clothing is colorful and practical for mountain life. Men wear a long-sleeved robe called a chuba. It reaches below the knee and is tied with a cloth belt called a kara. This belt creates a pouch for carrying small items. Chubas were traditionally made from thick wool. Men wear them over a blouse, trousers, and a stiff-collared shirt.
Women traditionally wear long-sleeved, floor-length dresses called tongkok. A sleeveless version, aangi, is worn over a long-sleeved shirt. They also wear colorful striped aprons. One apron, pangden, is worn in front, and another, gewe, is worn in back. These are held together by a silver buckle and a kara. Sherpa clothing is similar to Tibetan clothing. Today, many Sherpas also wear modern Western clothes.
Sherpa Homes
When a Sherpa son gets married and starts a family, the community often helps build a new house. Neighbors bring food, drinks, and help with the work. Houses are usually built with fields around them. A special spiritual ceremony might happen at each building stage. This is because the house needs to be a good place for people, animals, and spirits.
Sherpa homes are often passed down through families. Their style depends on the land, like river terraces or mountain slopes. They can be one-story or two-story houses. There is usually plenty of room for animals. Many families have a special shrine room for statues and religious items. Roofs are sloped, often made from local materials or metal. A space in the roof lets smoke from fires escape.
Fun Times: Sherpa Gatherings
Sherpa communities love to get together for parties! A host will throw a party to be friendly with neighbors and the community. Children often invite guests a few hours before the party starts. At these gatherings, men sit by their status, with important people closer to the fireplace. Women sit in the middle. It is polite to sit a little lower than your proper place. The host might then invite you to move to your correct spot.
At first, only beer is served. Later, food is brought out. Then, there are hours of singing and dancing before guests start to leave. Hosting a party to encourage cooperation among neighbors is a tradition called Yangdzi. People are expected to return the favor by hosting their own parties.
Famous Sherpa People
- Tenzing Norgay — In 1953, he and Edmund Hillary were the first people known to reach the top of Mount Everest.
- Temba Tsheri — In 2001, he became the youngest person to climb Mount Everest.
- Nimdoma Sherpa — In 2008, she became the youngest woman to climb Mount Everest.
- Kami Rita — A mountaineering guide who holds the record for most climbs to the top of Mount Everest.
- Lhakpa Sherpa — She was the first Nepali woman to climb and descend Mount Everest successfully in 2000. After her tenth climb in 2022, she became the woman who has climbed Everest the most times.
- Pasang Lhamu Sherpa — In 1993, she became the first Nepalese woman to climb Mount Everest's summit. Sadly, she passed away during her descent.
- Apa Sherpa — For many years, he held the record for reaching the summit of Mount Everest more times than almost anyone else.
- Dawa Yangzum Sherpa — The first Nepalese woman to climb all 14 of the world's highest mountains (eight-thousanders).
- Pemba Doma Sherpa — One of six women to have climbed Everest twice. She also started a charity called Save the Himalayan Kingdom.
- Nima Rinji — The youngest person to have climbed the world's 14 highest mountains.
- Mingma Sherpa — The first person from South Asia to climb all 14 eight-thousanders. He was also the first mountaineer to climb all 14 peaks on his first try.
- Sanduk Ruit — An eye doctor who created affordable eye lenses for people in developing countries. He won the Ramon Magsaysay Award.
- Jamling Tenzing Norgay — A mountain climber and the son of Tenzing Norgay.
- Chhurim Sherpa — The first woman to climb Mount Everest twice in the same climbing season.
- Chhang Dawa Sherpa — For several years, he was the youngest climber to have reached the top of the world's 14 highest peaks.
- Pemba Dorje — A mountain climber who might have made the fastest ever climb of Mount Everest.
- Pratima Sherpa — A highly-ranked amateur female golfer.
- Dachhiri Sherpa — An Olympic athlete who represented Nepal in the Winter Olympics.
- Kripasur Sherpa — A Nepalese politician.
- Ang Tshiring Sherpa — The founder of Yeti Airlines and Air Dynasty.
- Lucky Sherpa — A former Nepal ambassador to Australia and New Zealand.
Where Sherpas Live Today
According to the 2023 Nepal census, there are 250,637 Sherpa people in Nepal. This makes up about 1.1% of Nepal's population. Most Sherpas live in the Koshi Province and Bagmati Province of Nepal. Many also live in specific districts like Solukhumbu and Taplejung.
See also
In Spanish: Sherpa (desambiguación) para niños
- Gyalpo Losar
- Mani Rimdu
- Demographics of Nepal
- List of monasteries in Nepal
- Tengboche
- Sherpa (emissary)
 | Charles R. Drew |
 | Benjamin Banneker |
 | Jane C. Wright |
 | Roger Arliner Young |
