SHERPA (SHERWA) AND SHARKHUMBU - Thamichhowa Youth Group

SHERPA (SHERWA) AND SHARKHUMBU
Sherwa (Sherpa) and Sharkhumbu: Mountain people and livehood:
Sherpa is one of the ethnic group of Nepal, Living in the high Himalayan region of the country. Sherpa’s distinctive culture and world famous climbers name have made Sherpa the most popular and most popular word in the world over this century. We do not have to dig long enough to find its true history.
Everyone believes that the word Sherpa has become famous along with its record on May 29, 1953 when Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgya Sherpa succeeded in climbing the world’s highest summit mount Everest. The undeniable bravery of the people at the mountain expedition made them the hero of mountains. Sherpa choose tourism as a living stargeity, where the mountaineering is primary. Well the mountaineering profession was a compulsion of Sherpa people for living at the beginning due to the unemployment and lack of the other opportunity at the rural Himalayan region. Later it became the identity of Sherpa people. Some people are still getting the word Sherpa as porter during the expedition or trekking. Which is not correct Sherpa is one of the ethnic group living in the various part of the high Himalayan region of the world.
The exact date and the written history of the word Sherpa “Sherwa” was not known, Sherpa has its own language, religion, culture and disguise. We must acknowledge the fact that their linguistic development, religious development, cultural development and social development are not happened at once it was developed gradually. That we can reach to the state of today.
While searching for the literal meaning of Sherwa, the fact of the establishment of ShyarKhumbu (Solukhumbu) have to be deduces from the facts. When the people started to settle in Khumbu, people from different castes and communities came and established a new settlement .In this way, it is necessary to understand that Sherwa is not a single type or group. It was a mixture of many types. It would not have been easy for this diverse community and community to share the same language,culture ,religion and the costumes .Even at present if we enter and study Sherpa community ,there are different types of sherpas such as Gurungsherpa, Tamangsherpa, Newarsherpa etc. These different castes have come together in diffrent time periods rather than coming together and today Sherpa language, religion, and culture are created and developed while exchanging geographical conditions, obstacles and difficulties in living and sharing harmony.
THE TRIBE AND ANCESTORS OF THE SHERWA:
In shyarkhumbu, people from different places continued to settle down and the old people who came forwards its establishment became the chief or landlord. They clarified their surname to release their bone ties. Later additions would earnestly request the old chiefs to give us their surname as well and the chiefs would also assign a new surname to the new resident. The demographics of the old ones continued to grow .People who migrated to the new settlements also added. This led to the development of population within the same layer as well as the brotherhood.
The surname of Sherpa:
- Paldorche: Salaka, Khambache,Goparma
- Thaktokpa: Pinasa, Gele, Garcha
- Lama: lama Ser / Gombawa
- Others: Chawa, Mendewa, Shire, Lhukpa, Nawa, Pangkarma etc.
- The surname assigned by the village chiefs: Sharnekpa,Sharthajung
,Sharsumdok,Sharkancha etc.
According to the study Gurungsherpa, Tamangsherp,Newarsherpa, Khasasherpaetc., are also counted in the old Sherpa. These Sherpa also settled in different places overtime. They used the practice of beliving in peace as a Kuldev or Istadev worshiping the god and goddess of nature (land, water, wind etc.) and naag. Wherever they lived periodically there are different customs when different types of offerings are offered. But there are some customs, deities that everyone practice and worship till today.
Buddhism:
The Sherpa people believes in generating spiritual energy for the benefit of all beings.
According to the oral history, the early settlers of Khumbu region were Nyingmapa practitioners who entered the valley for spiritual retreats. Lama Buddha Tsechen was one such person. He led a religious life at Mohng a small hermitage on the slope of Khumbila. The lama had three sons: Lama Sangwa Dorje, Rolwa Dorje and Khyenpa Dorje. All the three became Lamas. Later started the three oldest monasteries of the region at Pangboche, Thame and Rimijung. Many monasteries were established by different village communities. Some of them have community of celibate monks. Others are simply village temples managed by the community or single family of hereditary Lama.
The Nyingmapa sect of the Buddhism is practiced most of the monasteries in the region. The sect contains the all three forms of Buddhism. Which are to improve one’s character (Hinayana), to think about others (Mahayana) and to follow short cut to spiritual liberation (Vajrayana).
The people believes in the power of nature as protective deities. For example Five sisters of Long life, a goddesses who resides on the various mountains. The prayers to the deities may influence the important events and daily activities. Offering and the prayers are accompanied in all birth, death and weeding. The prayers are done for the benefit of an individual or a community.
Buddha (Shakyamuni Buddha)

Briefly, born as a prince of the royal Sakya clan, Siddhartha Gautam (Buddha’s birth name) was born at a place called Chal near Lumbini in southeast Nepal over 2,500 years ago. During childhood a priest make a prediction that whether the kid will become a great king or a great saint. King Suddhodhan (father of Siddhartha Gautam) wants his son to become a great king. Siddhartha was sheltered from any human misery until the age of 29. One day when Siddhartha went for the visit of his city he witness the human misery and impermanency of life. In order to find a solution for the misery the prince left his luxurious royal life and throne. He meditated for six years beside a river at a place called Chewa Narenjana. He drove himself mercilessly, eating an only grain of rice a day, pitting mind against body. His ribs stuck through his wasted flesh and he seemed more dead than alive. A woman named Sujata offered him a Kheer (sweet dish made from milk and rice) and bathed in the river.
Then several years later, while meditaing near Bodhagaya in northern India the Buddha attained enlightment, the fulfillment of complete awareness and compassion in his mind. The Buddha taught his path to spiritual growth in Benaras and continued teaching until his death 45 years later.
Buddhism flourished in India for almost 1,700 years. It also spread to South Asia, china, Nepal, japan and many Asian countries.
Guru Rinpoche

Guru Rinpoche also called as Guru Padhmasambhava was born 1,260 years ago in place called Odiyana in India. It is believed that Indra Bhuti the king of the place who had spent all of his wealth on religious deeds went to the sea asking for more wealth. There he saw a child on a lotus flower at the sea and he adopted the kid.
Later on all the wealth and throne passed to the boy, who ruled the country for some time. The young king gave all of his wealth and throne up to pursue the teaching of Buddhism from many high teachers. He meditated and taught the Vajrayana teaching of Buddhism in Odiyana, India, Nepal. Eventually the master was invited to Tibet by the king Trisong Deutsan.
Together, King Trisong Deutsen and Guru Rinpoche built Samya Monastery, one of the oldest monastery in Tibet. The master spread the Buddhism in various parts of Tibet and the Guru instructed his disciples to write his teachings and hid them in rocks and earth. He predicted that there would be a time when people become loose and confused, when people will break the law, disobey the teachings and everything in the earth will be in a chaos and at the time the hidden books will show the way. It is also said that the Guru hides a places in Himalayans which are going to be unaffected from the chaos of the outer world and these places are known as Beyul. Khumbu (Everest region), Khenpalung and Rolwaling are among those hidden place.
Phakpa Chernezing:

Known as the deity of the compassion, the deity has different names like Avalokiteshwara (Sanskrit), Jigten Wangchuk or Thuje Chenpo (Tibetan) the deity is believed to come from the Buddha’s thought. According to Buddhism wisdom, compassion and spiritual power are the three qualities to help enlighten and liberate all animate beings. The complete compassion is the essential of these qualities. It is said that Dalai Lama is an incarnation of
Cherensing as was the first Buddhist king of Tibet, Songtsen Gampo.
The action form of Avalokiteshwara is called Lhakchen wangchuk or Maha-deva in Sanskrit meaning the great deity. He is the powerful form having the complete compassion. Both the Hindu and Buddhist worship the deity.
Five sisters of Long-Life:
Tashi Tsheringma (Goddess of Powerful protection)

Tashi Tsheringma is the all-powerful earth goddess of protection. She is the leader of the five long life sisters and she rides on a snow lioness. She protects the people from premature death caused by elements. On her right hand she carries the 9-spoked thunderbolt and on her left, along life flak embellished with the Buddhist swastika knots. She offers supreme protection against all the forces that threaten the safety of people. He rules from the center. The Sherpa people believes that she resides at Mt. Gaurishankar of Nepal.

Tingi Shalzangma (Goddess of youthful beauty and love)
Shalzangma is the powerful earth goddess of beauty and love. She appears in a blue body and holds a silver mirror and banner of the gods. She rides on a Mare and her main specialty is to restore youthful glow and beauty, making person attractive and pleasant in eye of others. She brings harmony in relationship and increase the attractiveness. She is the guardian of the east.
Miyo Longzangma (Goddess of wealth and abundance)

Riding on a Tigress Miyo Longzangma resides at the Mt. Everest. Being the goddess of wealth and abundance mother goddess Miyolangzangma governs all aspect of prosperity luck, assets wealth and the property. Yellow in a color she holds a bowl of delicious foods and a Mongoose spouting jewels. She can help remove the financial obstacles and increase one’s income and luxurious enjoyment. She appears in the entourage of all the wealth Buddhas and guard the south direction.
Chopan Drizangma (Goddess of wish fulfiller)
Goddess Driazngma is the goddess who grants the wishes, makes everything auspicious and brings authority in all things. Her body is red in color and she carries a wish full filing jewel while riding on Doe.
She repels all ill effects of bad omens and nightmares and gathers auspicious condition for good things to ripen. She is expert on removing obstacles related to bad timing based on bad dates and negative planter allegiants. She brings awesome good luck and guards the west location.
Taykar Drozangma (Goddess of long life)
Green in a color goddess Drozangma is goddess who increase inner vitality, regeneration and life force of a person. She prevents the harmful negative energy from stealing away the one’s life force or causing diseases. She rides on a female Turquoise green dragon while holding Durva grass on her one hand and snake noose on the other. She commands all the minor naga spirit and exercise influence over the elements. She protect against the natural disasters, epidemic and contagious diseases. She guards from her place in the north.
The protector deities:
KhumbiYula (Protector God of Khumbu)

The people of upper Khumbu worship the deity as the protector of the Khumbu region. Date back to the time when the ancestors of the Sherpa were still in Tibet. Khumbi yula is said to be subdued and converted to Buddhism by Guru Padhmasambhava. The name khumbu comes from Khumbila Tsen Gyalpu, the gurdain deity of the valley. The local people believes that the deity resides at his mountain home khumbila above the Khumjung and Kunde valley. The people of Khumbu have a prayers flag on bamboo wands to honor Khumbuyula. The deity protects the people, Buddhism and the land of the Khumbu.
Khumbila’s father is Tashi Palwoche and mother is Lho Methang Ghongma. The deity residing on Mt. Thamserku, Thamosermu, is Khumbila’s wife.
ShyorongYula and GombuChakShipa
The people from the lower part of the Solukhuubu commonly known as Solu worship the Shyorong Yula and Gombu Chakshipa as their protector deity.
Some Sherpa worships a private Luwang (Naag -than) near their own home. Some worship NupkiGyalu (Bhimsen). Sherpa move pasture in different places in winter and rainy season. Himalayan hills are worshiped as protection for themselves and their livestock in the place where the herd are situated. The worship of the deity worshiped in the fold is called “Yarchang”. In time, these deities were worshiped as patriarchs (Family deity).
The patriarch deities of Sherpa according to their surname:
- Paldorche: FariLhachen
- Thaktokpa: LoangEyokLhachen
- Mendewa : KhartesuraGyalu
- Chu-sherwa: LowacheLhanchen
- Sherwa; ArgamcheLhachen
- Chawa: ChakpeDorjeKaru
- Nawa: tabucheLhachen
In this way, the deities also got three types of specialization as they were expanding from kharka to goth (farmhouse) to village and settlement.
The Three specialized gods are:
- Kelha (God of birth)
- Yulha (God of village)
- Rulha (God of Surname)
The tradition culture of sherpa seems to be similar to that of Tibetan culture. The main reason for this is because of the ties between the Himalayan states of Nepal such as Manag, Mustang, Khumbu, Taplejung, Dolpa and Tibet because of the trade. Language has its own originality.
Until a few decades ago, Sherpa used to be called “Bhote” by the hill and Terai residents of Nepal, and even the salt traders from lower part of the area used to call a Khumbu as “Bhot”.
In Khumbu, before the development of tourism business like today, Khumbule (people of Khumbu) had strong trade relations with Tibet.
OCCUPATION OF SHERPA:
Before the start of the tourism business like today, most of the people here were cattlemen. Yak, Nak(female of Yak), Jhom(cross breed of Nak and Lang),Zopke(cross breed of Nak and lang ),Lang(ox),Rha (Goat),Lukh (sheep) were prominent in the animals. The traditional costumes of Sherpa like Anghi, Matil, Ghywe etc. are made from the wool of the sheep. They used to make the costumes by their traditional method and system. Community at that time was very peaceful and helpful. People used to help each-other on work.
The people of khumbu used to take potato smoothies, colors, medical-herbs tobacco veins etc. at Tibet. They used to bring dried meat of Tibetan sheep, fat, salt, barley flour etc. from Tibet. Trade of such goods had not that huge benefits but the trade of these goods can meet their needs at that time. From the lower area (Aaul) to Tibet, men used to go for the trade while woman are most active in household.
Chyara is one of the Khumbu’s original homemade fabrics. It was made from the wool of yak and Nak. It was used as a blanket in Sherpa community. It was also very important for drying out things. From the wool of Yak and Nak the traditional footwear (Dhocha) were made as well. The few examples of traditional footwear were kacha,koshil,shyangsil etc. The woolen clothes made from the wool of yak,nak and lug were traded to Tibet and the hilly region of Nepal as well.
Many Sherpa now times are highly regarded as elite mountaineers and experts in their local area. Sherpa were immeasurably valuable to early explorers of the Himalayan region, serving as guides at the extreme altitudes of the peaks and passes in the region, particularly for expedition to Mt. Everest.
COSTUMES OF SHERPA:

More than five decades ago all the Sherpa people used to have a long hair except the lama and Thava or monk. We can easily guess that Sherpa were dressed in such way because of the cold .Men also used to wear a colored yarn on their hair like women. The colored yarn is called “thangu”.
The costumes of Men:
- Hat (shyamung): Shyamungshersingbokta,
- Shyamunggyapsang,Syamungpaksya,Shyamungthyangsa, samungwasha, samung-tsheringkingap etc.
- Shirt: Buretetung, Nambutetung, Thusiltetung, Khyanjar
- Bakkhu: Unamchuye, Gonamchuye, Burechuye, Chuwapuruk
- Belt(Kara): Burekara, Kharekara, Thujikara
- Pant(Kanam): Nambukanam, Lhakpikanam
- Footwear (Kacha): Kachakyampu,Gonamkacha,Kosilkacha etc.
At that time people used to put a dried grass in their footware for the warm.
The costumes of women:
The colorful yarn wore on hair “tangu”.
- Hat (shyamung): Shyamungtsheringkingap, Shyamungmausha, UniShyamung, ShyamungThyangsha, and Rumal(scarf)
- Cholo(Shirt): Siliratuk, Bureratuk, Thujiratuk, Nylon Ratuk
- Bakkhu: tangja, Khojen,Nambu etc.
- Anghi:A variety of Anghi made of wool and yarn Tongokh: A variety of Tongokh made of wool and yarn
- Gewe: fabric made of wool and yarn
- Matil: made of the wool and yarn
- Patukha (belt): kara, burekara, kharekara etc. Footwear kacha, koshil, shyangsil
- “kethik” used as a belt by the women
ORNAMENTS:
Men:
- Serkialung (ear-ring)
- Jhichuruk (prescious stone)
- Surtuk(ring)
Women:
- Hair pin: Serkiping, Serkikokthe
- Ear rings: Serkimendhok, Serkimalik, Serkialung, Serki top
- Bracelets: Serkimatil, Dulkimatil, Thungkimatil
- Chain:Serkitika,Serkikhau,Jhichuruk
- Serkichyapchyap
- Surtuk(ring)
ACCESSORIES:
Kitchen Accessories: Ghang, Dhermang, Kora, Khyung, Dulsham, Thakya etc. Wooden-accessories: tolum,Lhajum, Thumbul,shyodong,Gambu, Dojum, Thaka, Herwen, Jarukh,Shakyo etc.
AGRICULTURE:
Since the ancient time Potatoes, radish, buckwheat etc. are only founded in khumbu. Lava is also produced in some places. Livestock plays a very vital role in the lifestyle of Khumbu people. Since it was used for feces of agricultural purpose, wool for clothing, for the milk and meat and last but not the least it plays a very important role as a mode of transportation in Khumbu. The dependency on livestock is still in practice in Khumbu region. Animal husbandry and farming are complementary to each other in khumbu, so both are equally important. The grassy pastures were in different places for the animals. There were small houses and potatoes field to live at those pastures. Still those paternal wealth were safe in the khumbu area.
Emphasis on animal husbandry is not found in present time because of the tourism flow in the region. Most people of the khumbu at the present time are reliable on tourism industry. Now animal are not raised for the wool or milk but for the mode of transportation they are raised.
SOCIAL TRADITION:
In the sherpa community of ancient times one can hear the story of the real old people having heavenly bliss. Since there was no financial business at that time, they would cooperate with each other sharing goodwill suffering, happiness. There was nothing like greed, jealousy, hypocrisy and anger in each other. They were satisfied in their lifestyle. Even when its look dirty, the mind and heart was pure.
The sherpa’s most important rule of hospitality is that a visitor must not leave the house unfed or without a drink. Guests are entertained with Tibetan tea or beer. Unlike some communities in Nepal, guests in sherpa homes have complete access to both the kitchen and the area set for worship. Sherpa enjoy gambling with dice (sho).
RELIGIOUS BELIFS:
The ancient sherpa had great faith in God and religion. Only the contemplation of their farming and livestock and contemplation of the ritual are found in the ancient sherpa history. They used to worshiped their kuldevta and isthadevta,naga in their place of residence, settlement, at the pastures. As a result of which their livestock and farming are supplied. In this way, kuldevta (native deity) are worshiped four time in year.
The monasteries built by the ancestors of today’s sherpa are still of historical significance. A long mani were carved out of a stone skull. The chortens were built alongside with the mane. The value and validity of these items made in ancient times is probably undeniable. It may be hard to mention here what the religious faith of the time was for. Sherpa used to worshiped and gathered in gumba. There are few types of gumbas (monastery):
- University gumba(Kopan Monastery): This types of gumbas were made with a purpose of study. Here the students were taught about the Buddhism.
- Community Gumba: the Gumbas were made for the community for ritual activities.
- ChamkhangGumba: the Gumbas were made for the meditation purpose. Basically this types of gumbas were built far away from the community.
- LhakhangGumba: The Gumbas were made by the rich people for ritual activities of their home. Basically it was a private gumba.
The statue, books and other materials required in the four monasteries mentioned above are arranged according to financial status. Ordinary villagers do not need all the materials to worship at evening and morning, like the monastery lama. Usually the idol are worshiped by placing idols at the Shrine (chyosham) in the house of the Sherpa.
Sherpa people used to offer a water and tea every morning before their daily schedule. With the purpose of practice of the giving generosity, the material is known as a “thingh” and the incense materials “shangbur”, these two materials is founded in every Sherpa house.
FESTIVALS:
Festival is the important part of the culture. It gathers the community together, and tells the story of our past and ancestors. The special festivals celebrated by the people of Khumbu are Dumji, Lhosar, Fhag-ngi, yarchang, Lhosarpuluk and manirimdu. These festivals are celebrated in different time at different places of Khumbu.
Dumji

started by the Lama SangwaDorje the first lama to profound first monastery in Khumbu before 360 years ago. Festival which has both religious as well as community values.One family has to provide food and drink to the whole village. Basically it comes upon one family in every 20/15 years. Mainly it was celebrated on the occasion of Guru Rinpoche the founder of Nyingmapa sect of Buddhism and the profounder of Buddhism at the Himalayan of Tibet. It was celebrated in different parts of Solukhumbu. It was celebrated for five days.
The celebration time of Dumji in different parts of solukhumbu:
- SakarMonastry: First sherpa month (DawaThangbu) 11-15. It was celebrated in March.
- Gombashyung Monastry:Secondsherpa month (DawaNghiywa) 27-30. It was celebrated in April.
- Golila Monastry: Second sherpa month (DawaNghiywa) 27-30. It was also celebrated in April.
- Lukla Monastery: Fifth sherpa month (DawaNghawa) 9-13.It was celebrated in June.
The Monastery of upper Khumbu
(Khumjung, Thame, Pangboche, Phortse,Rimijyung): fifth sherpa month (DawaNghawa) 9-13.It was celebrated in july.
KhilkorDingma: Ninth sherpamonth(DawaGhuwa)7-10. It was celebrated in November.
Manirimdu

Grand occasion and a festival celebrated in khumbu is manirimdu to mark the founding of Buddhism by Guru Rinpoche. It was 19 day long festival. Grand shows are put upon three different occasions. The festival was first celebrated by Guru Padhmasamvhava at samye monastery of Tibet. As a celebration of Buddhism establishment in Tibet, every ritual dances contains a story of establishment of Buddhism, and the victory of the truth over the evil and negative forces.
- Thame monastery: Fourth Sherpa month (DawaShiwa). It is celebrated inJune.
- Tengboche monastery: Ninth sherpa month (DawaGhuwa). It is celebrated in october.
- KilkhorDingma: First sherpamonth (Dawathangbu). It is celebrated in january/February. • Chiwang monastery: Ninth sherpa month (DawaGhuwa).It is celebrated in october/November.
Lhosarpuluk

It is celebrated in fifteenth day of the nineth month of the lunar calendar which happens to be a full moon day. It is very much similar to hindu festival “deusi”. It was celebrated for one day.
Fhag-Ngi
It is celebrated in august. It was a celebration and prays for the better farming.
Lhosar
It is a new year of sherpa,tamang,gurung etc. But the people of khumbu mostly celebrate sonam and gyalpolosar. Which were celebrated in February and march gradually.
Yarchang
Yarcahng is a celebration or the offering for the deity in the rainy season. Before few days of Phag-ngi. The mountains are worshiped as a god, during the migration for the pasture. They worship the mountains or the deity of the area for the betterment and wellbeing of the people and the herd.
Tsogchen



Celebrated with the purpose of the ritual offering to the red wrathful guru to eliminate the negative and evil forces, and bringing the goodwill and peace to the whole world. The festival is celebrated in the monsoon the fifth month of lunar calendar (dawa Nghawa). The festival is specially celebrated only at Kyarog monastery of Thangme in the Khumbu region.
Like all other culture and community of the world, Sherpa community also has its historic stages, to get at the stage that we are seeing today. Steeping their live in Buddhism, they have their own tradition and faith. Living in the high Himalayan region, famously known as a snow-tiger for their undeniable bravery in mountains, they choose mountaineering as survival stragities.
However in the current time with the globalization and the influence of others culture people are more attracted towards them. Well which doesn’t mean not to respect the other culture, but denying yours isn’t fair as well. So we have to respect others and preserve our culture. The culture is a life blood of a person, which introduce the person. So the preservation of the culture is important.
article by : Dawa Jangbu Sherpa, Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Munucipality-05, Changekpa

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