Sherpas

Sherpas are known as the guardian angels of the Himalayas. They are also nicknamed the Everest Tigers for their incredible climbing skills, high physical fitness, and ability to survive in any weather. They are a special group of people living in the hills of western Nepal, Sikkim, and Tibet. Known as the world's greatest climbers, they guide Himalayan expedition teams. It is believed that climbing Everest would be very difficult without their help. Their physical characteristics and powerful lungs have made them the world's greatest climbers.

The life and dress of the Sherpas, who follow Tibetan Buddhism, are similar to those of Tibetan Buddhists. In addition to Nepal and Sikkim, there are Sherpas in Australia, North America, and some parts of Europe. They speak the Sherpa language, which is closely related to the Tibetan language, and are most commonly found in Nepal.

The main job of the Sherpas is to prepare tents and accommodation for mountaineers, act as guides, and handle the luggage of travelers. Known as the army of the mountains, their life has adapted to the climate of the Himalayas, so they consider it their mission to help mountaineers reach their destination by any means. Many have lost their lives in the process. They are also known as one of the groups that work the hardest just to survive.

Although the Sherpas play a crucial role in Himalayan expeditions, apart from their mission, very few of them have conquered the Himalayas themselves. According to their religious beliefs, the top of the Himalayas is considered to be the place of God. Therefore, they treat Himalayan visitors with great respect and do everything they need. It is believed that otherwise they will be cursed by God.

The Sherpas also have an amazing history of migration from Tibet to Nepal.  The turning point in the life of the Sherpas was the religious conflict that occurred in Tibet in the early 1600s. Due to the conflict, they were displaced to the Himalayas. Later, that was their world. Solukhumbu in Nepal. The place where the Sherpas are most commonly found.

Life in the mountains was very difficult as the climate of the rocky land was against agriculture. With this, the Sherpas adopted and started raising yaks and cows, which became their primary occupation. Yak farming helped them to sell milk and wool.

They have only been coming to the mountains since 1920. At that time, when they were under British rule, there were plans to use this group as porters for mountaineering. Later, mountaineering became their daily routine and part of their culture. After that, many people tried to climb Mount Everest. But they all failed.  But in 1953, the Sherpas' golden age came when New Zealand mountaineer Edmund Hillary, along with Sherpa Tenzing Norgay, first climbed the Himalayas.