Beginning with the very first explorations of Mt. Everest in the 1920's, Sherpas have always been an integral part of every Everest Expedition. When Mount Everest was summitted for the first time in 1953, New Zealander Sir Edmund Hillary, took his place in history alongside Tenzing Norgay the Sherpa who co-led the expedition.
About 250,000 Sherpas live in the mountains of Nepal in three connected regions: Khumbu, Solu and Pharak. Over the centuries Sherpas have survived in this challenging climate as traders, yak herders, as well as spinners and weaving of wool.
Of the 25,000 Sherpas living in the vicinity of Mt. Everest, most reside in Namche Bazaar which is often called "The Sherpa capital of Nepal". Because Sherpas live at high altitudes, they have far fewer problems with altitude sickness than other people. They are also considered the greatest climbers in the world in terms of agility and strength. That's why, in a place like Namche Bazaar, you can find children as young as 5 years old already in training as guides and rescuers for Himalayan Mountain expeditions.
Sherpas traditionally learned climbing and guiding skills while apprenticing to older Sherpas. Today, there is a climbing school for Sherpas, called the Nepali Mountaineering Association. Two Sherpas who are the most highly admired and respected sherpas of today are Ang Ritha Sherpa and Kazi Sherpa.
Even as skilled as they are, being a sherpa for a Himalayan expedition is a very risky job. Despite the risks, the Sherpas see it as a good way to make a living for their families.
How much do they earn for their highly trained skills? Often times they receive no more than $7.00 a day for approximately 60 days and $1200 to $1500 for an equipment allowance. That is not much by Western standards, but considering that the average Nepalese income is $150/ year, a sherpa can make a very comfortable living.
Religious beliefs are an important part of daily life. The majority of Sherpa homes have altars where photographs of the Dalai Lama and departed family loved ones can be found, along with offerings of rice, water and candles. Each morning an offering to the Buddha is carried out at the alter by a family member. Evidence of Buddhist practice can also be seen all around these mountain villages in the form of chortons, manni stones, prayer wheels and prayer flags. The Khumbu region also has many monasteries, the Tengbouche monastery being the most well known.
The main agricultural crops of the Khumbu are potatoes and buckwheat. The Sherpas, traditionally have been dependent on the herding of yak, cattle, and yak-cattle crossbreeds. Until the 1960's, most Sherpa were also dependent upon trade with Tibet and northern India. Trade still occurs today, with the exchange of grain, rice, maize, millet, and wheat between high and lower altitude Sherpa families.
On Saturdays, the village of Namche Bazaar becomes a cultural trading center. People come from all over the region to trade and sell their goods at the outside market here. Some of the items available are corn, rice, eggs, vegetables, meat, jewelry, film, and souvenirs, climbing gear, goats, cheese, chocolate bars, carpets and general clothing. The market is also an important weekly social opportunity for the people who live great distances from each other.
Today, the Khumbu region and its economy have gone through many changes, due, primarily, to mountaineering and commercial trekking.
The Sherpa are world famous for their ability to climb at high-altitudes and are employed as porters and guides for mountain expeditions, especially to Mt. Everest. The Sherpa culture as well as the land, have also been affected by the steady increase in mountaineering and tourism. Despite the impact from the outside world, the people of the Khumbu region, have held onto their traditions and their religious beliefs.
