Sherpa History and Culture

The Sherpas (originally Sharwa) are one of the numerous nationalities of the multiethnic state of Nepal. The word Sherpa or "Sharwa" in their native language literally mean "east people", and refers to an ethnic group from the eastern mountains of Nepal. Although westerners pronounce it "Sher-pa" the native Sherpa pronunciation is "Shar-wa". Shar means "east" wa means "person" in Sherpa and Tibetan language. The Sherpa people are a tribal group from eastern Tibet who migrated across the Himalayas to Nepal in the 16th century, perhaps motivated by warfare or famine. The Sherpa people originated in the eastern Tibetan Province of Kham.

Religion has always been integral in history of the Sherpa culture. The first migrating Buddhist monks brought their prayer books and traditional teachings, and some of those original texts are kept in monasteries and are considered to be very spiritually valuable. The Tibetans also brought their language, which has since evolved to become more distinct than a dialect. However, Sherpa have no written language so their traditions and history are largely passed down by word of mouth. Their culture is fragile and is threatened by the advancement of western "civilization". Many agricultural practices and customs have been adapted for their unique terrain, but the Sherpa people keep very close ties with Tibetan people by traveling to Tibet for trade and pilgrimages to holy landmarks. Tibetans also make the journey to the markets in Nepal for trade.

The Sherpa people follow the Nying-mapa sector of Tibetan Buddhism interspersed with animist, shamanistic practices and conceptions. The economy of the local Sherpa community has traditionally been agriculture, livestock herding, and trade with Tibet. Since the 1950s, mountaineering expeditions have attracted tourism in the region. The local economy is becoming increasingly dependent on tourism. The Sherpa language is related to modern Tibetan, but only to a lesser degree mutually comprehensible. Since the Sherpa language is not a written and standardized language, the current elites endeavors to introduce a script on the basis of the Tibetan script, even though this alienates the Sherpa language which has developed independently from Tibetan over the centuries.

Sherpa society uses a clan system or ru to determine marriage arrangements. The clan system is believed to have originated in Kham, where ru (literally, 'bone') clan & marriage system is still in use today. Clan identity is inherited through the father. Traditionally, each Sherpa would select a spouse from a clan outside their own. For example, a Lama cannot marry another Lama, but a Lama is free to marry a member of any of the other seventeen clans.

Sherpa is actually the western mis-pronunciation of the ethnic designation "Shar-wa." Sharwa among themselves have eighteen surnames (historically originating in the Tibetan province of Kham) eighteen clan names listed below:-

Note that one of the clan names is "Sharwa." Members of the Sharwa clan do actually use "Sharwa" as a surname. Other clans use their own clan name as surname - e.g., Chaiwa, Garza, Gole etc. However, even though "Sherpa" is an ethnic group not a surname, many Sherpas use "Sherpa" as an internationally recognized & respected surname, especially when dealing with those outside the Sherpa community.

The Sherpa are one of many ethnic groups living in Nepal. They are famous worldwide for their mountaineering skills, reliability, work ethic and good nature. Many foreign writers not familiar with ethnic identities and cultural facts have misrepresented the Sherpa people as simple porters, while Sherpa have been employed in these jobs they are more typically the lead Climbers and Sardars (group managers) on expeditions. Since the improvement of education and opportunities available to Sherpa people, many hold advanced degrees and professional careers.