Blog Post number 2
Dominique Duro
Elan
3/12/14
Ever since I came to know about the Sherpan people and their culture, I wanted to know more about their traditional manner and practices. By reading this wonderful book I found the Sherpan traditions and culture to be quite interesting. In most of chapter 8, the author Jon Krakauer remarks that one of the Sherpan people (named Ngawang) becomes very sick and turns down the offer to have the medical support to help him, because of his doubt and questioning as to approve of any sickness. Accroding to oxfordjournals.org the Sherpan people orgigonally drifted from the country of Tibet and came to what we know today as Khumbu, Nepal. This accorded over 600 years ago. Here the Sherpan people practiced Buddhism. In both Tibet and Nepal the weather is clearly very similar. There is snow in most of parts of each countries. When the Sherpan people moved into Nepal they were already used to the cold summers and bitter winters. In these harsh conditions, the Sherpa’s would manage every day, to support their families by trading, bartering, herding and agricultural farming. Towards the late 1950’s and early 1960’s tourists from all around the world came to witness the great mountains of Nepal, (including Mount. Everest) which brought funding to the Sherpan people. The tourists would also trade with the Sherpan people. These trades could consist of herbs, salt, spices and wool. The Sherpan people still this day continue to carry out the trading routines. I am enjoying this book so much so far. And I’ve come to appreciate the fact that we get to learn about such an engaging topic. I am eager to read abou when the main character makes it to the top of the great mountain, Mount. Everest.
Extremely similar climate as seen in the picture above. To the left Tibet and to the right Nepal.
You really get in depth with the Sherpa people and the true struggles of being one of these people. They live in the mountains first of all and do not have the best lives as you know already most likely. I think it's truly amazing how they developed a way of breathing in high altitude as well. When you mention supporting a family, I couldn't agree anymore since it must be hard supporting yourself and even a family in most cases. I'm glad you chose to write about them, for they have fascinated me as well.
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