Hello everyone! This page is about birth, marriage, and death in Khumjung, Nepal. We got our information about the 1970's from a book calledThrough A Sherpa Window by Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa. We hope you enjoy!
Birth and Naming During the 1970's in Khumjung, Nepal every married Sherpa couple wished to have a family. They especially wished to have a boy because Sherpa clans decended through the male line, even though boys and girls were treated equally. After the birth of a child, there was a celebration. Then there was a naming ceremony. The first name of the child would depend on the day of the week they were born on. Then they had to think of a middle name. The middle name had a meaning; if the child was a girl, and the parents wished for a boy, the middle name would be Phuti, leads to a son. After the birth of a child, a white gflag was placed outside the main door. The flag was placed on the right side if it was a boy, and left for a girl. (By Brianna) Marriage
Marriage was an event of high importance in the Sherpa culture. Marriage could be arranged by parents or relatives. The completion of traditional marriage included many steps and could take several years. Chhang-arak (alcohol) was an important part in every step of the marriage. On a good or lucky day the parents and relatives of the boy would go to the girl's house to discuss the possible marriage. Sometimes this discussion was held without the candidates involved or present. Longchang was an important ceremony where 15 to 60 of the groom's relatives to the bride's house to offer the longchang or asking drink. The groom may or may not be present during this ceremony. The Longchang confirms the marriage and the couple could be called by magpa and nama and the real marriage process would begin. Demchang was the final and most important step in the ceremony. Another wedding procession was led by the groom's family to get the bride. This procession was led by a kholuwa or master of ceremonies who carried a banner baring the sign of the wheel of life. There was one final ceremony to bless the bride and groom. They sat side by side on a special seat where a swastika symbol had been drawn with grain. Two elders from each party would bless the couple for long life, sustainability and happiness. The bride was lead by the grooms party, who sang special songs, performed sillu or yak-tail dances, sounded conch shells and bashed cymbals. The bride's family would offer drinks and incense for a safe journey. (By Sydney)
Funeral and Death Death in traditional Sherpa culture was a very natural part of life. Dying peacefully of old age was considered lucky, because the soul would then have the opportunity to have “correct spiritual guidance”. A violent death such as murder, suicide, or any kind of accident wouldn’t be considered fortunate because there wouldn’t be time for a proper ritual or a mourning ceremony. After the death of a person, their relatives and close friends would help the family to light butter burning lamps and to find a senior lama who would keep company with the deceased person. Once the lama arrives, they would organize rituals. There would be several ways to dispose of the body. Cremation (purme) would be the most convenient and common way to do so. The body would be prepared by being shrouded in a piece of white cloth and propped in a sitting position. After the cremation process, there would be a ritual called dun-tsig; once a week, one or more monks would come and perform an evening ritual. This would continue for 7 weeks and end on the 49th day, on which the spirit has begun its journey to rebirth. (By Reese)
Sherpa Today! Q & A!
Ask a child in school:What do you like to do with you friends and family?
Ask a long time citizen:Do families still have to give a dowry whne getting married
Ask anyone that your heart desires:Does groom enslavement still exist?
This page is about birth, marriage, and death in Khumjung, Nepal. We got our information about the 1970's from a book calledThrough A Sherpa Window by Lhakpa Norbu Sherpa. We hope you enjoy!
Birth and Naming
During the 1970's in Khumjung, Nepal every married Sherpa couple wished to have a family. They especially wished to have a boy because Sherpa clans decended through the male line, even though boys and girls were treated equally. After the birth of a child, there was a celebration. Then there was a naming ceremony. The first name of the child would depend on the day of the week they were born on. Then they had to think of a middle name. The middle name had a meaning; if the child was a girl, and the parents wished for a boy, the middle name would be Phuti, leads to a son. After the birth of a child, a white gflag was placed outside the main door. The flag was placed on the right side if it was a boy, and left for a girl.
(By Brianna)
Marriage
Marriage was an event of high importance in the Sherpa culture. Marriage could be arranged by parents or relatives. The completion of traditional marriage included many steps and could take several years. Chhang-arak (alcohol) was an important part in every step of the marriage. On a good or lucky day the parents and relatives of the boy would go to the girl's house to discuss the possible marriage. Sometimes this discussion was held without the candidates involved or present. Longchang was an important ceremony where 15 to 60 of the groom's relatives to the bride's house to offer the longchang or asking drink. The groom may or may not be present during this ceremony. The Longchang confirms the marriage and the couple could be called by magpa and nama and the real marriage process would begin. Demchang was the final and most important step in the ceremony. Another wedding procession was led by the groom's family to get the bride. This procession was led by a kholuwa or master of ceremonies who carried a banner baring the sign of the wheel of life. There was one final ceremony to bless the bride and groom. They sat side by side on a special seat where a swastika symbol had been drawn with grain. Two elders from each party would bless the couple for long life, sustainability and happiness. The bride was lead by the grooms party, who sang special songs, performed sillu or yak-tail dances, sounded conch shells and bashed cymbals. The bride's family would offer drinks and incense for a safe journey.
(By Sydney)
Funeral and Death
Death in traditional Sherpa culture was a very natural part of life. Dying peacefully of old age was considered lucky, because the soul would then have the opportunity to have “correct spiritual guidance”. A violent death such as murder, suicide, or any kind of accident wouldn’t be considered fortunate because there wouldn’t be time for a proper ritual or a mourning ceremony. After the death of a person, their relatives and close friends would help the family to light butter burning lamps and to find a senior lama who would keep company with the deceased person. Once the lama arrives, they would organize rituals. There would be several ways to dispose of the body. Cremation (purme) would be the most convenient and common way to do so. The body would be prepared by being shrouded in a piece of white cloth and propped in a sitting position. After the cremation process, there would be a ritual called dun-tsig; once a week, one or more monks would come and perform an evening ritual. This would continue for 7 weeks and end on the 49th day, on which the spirit has begun its journey to rebirth.
(By Reese)
Sherpa Today! Q & A!
Beautiful Kitchen from Dream Flag Project on Vimeo.
This a view inside a modern Sherpa kitchen.