Climbing Sherpas of Nepal: A Sociological Study of their Lifeworld
Author: Medhavi Gulati, medhavigulati@gmail.com
Department: Sociology
University: Panjab University, India
Supervisor: Prof. Kumool Abbi
Year of completion: In progress
Language of dissertation: English
Keywords:
Sherpas
, Nepal
, mountaineering
, tourism
Areas of Research:
Work
, Rational Choice
, Tourism
Abstract
Climbing mountain is a challenging sport that puts to test not only one’s physical capabilities, but also mental abilities and patience, thereby, pushing one off the limits. Sherpas are best known for their high-altitude climbing skills, usually on Mount Everest. Living in the higher reaches of the Himalayas covering central and eastern Nepal, this population of striking Mongoloid features, belong to an ethnic community that migrated from eastern Tibet in roughly sixteenth century to north east Nepal. They were mainly yak herders and farmers in this region of Nepal who would seasonally climb up the Himalayan trails in order to trade with Tibet. However, ‘Sherpa’ is much more than an ethnicity. Their status has evolved crisply over a very short period of time. They have been often times than not, misidentified. They are looked at as somebody who is designed to carry heavy loads at higher altitudes and as someone who is responsible for assisting foreign mountaineers. Despite their uncanny abilities, Sherpas are not given as much respect as their western counterparts are. Glimpses of a subtle imperialist overtone can be easily caught in the text on Sherpas, who climb for a living. The experience of mountaineering in itself is a paradox – it is both a challenge and an escape. What is adventure, leisure and repose to foreign climbers, is mundane and frightening to Sherpas. This research which is an attempt to understand a world as experienced by climbing Sherpas, shall examine the challenges faced by them as well as study the impact of ever-increasing commercialization in the recent past.
