Sherpas of Solukhumbu: History and Evolution

Sherpas the enigmatic inhabitants of Everest often evoke the image of superheroes with their extraordinary climbing skills, ability to survive at extreme high altitudes, their reputation for loyalty, and liveliness amidst hardships. This book delves deep into their history and society, their ancestral link with Tibet, their settlement in the Solukhumbu region of Nepal, their tryst with mountaineering and its impact, the challenges, aspirations and the way ahead. It is an attempt to understand the Sherpas in entirety, and to answer certain pertinent questions. Has mountaineering- a western passion and now a commercial activity destroyed the Sherpa culture? Is the Sherpaness we know, a western construct? What does the recently exhibited assertiveness in the Sherpa identity signify? How does the gender shape the mountaineering arena amongst the Sherpas? Are Sherpas- synonymous with mountaineering, moving away from it? Have they been a passive recipient of the changes ushered in their sacred land or have they rather maneuvered the process to their advantage and proved to be the canny tradesman that they earlier were? Contrary to their historical isolation, connected with the world now, what do the Sherpas actually want? The book provides an insight into the hearts and minds of these admirable people.