The Sherpa people are an ethnic group who have lived for generations in the high mountain regions of eastern Nepal, particularly in the Khumbu region near Mount Everest. Their language has roots in Tibetan and their culture is closely connected to Tibetan Buddhism.
Most Sherpa people follow the Nyingma tradition of Buddhism, one of the oldest schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Mountains are considered sacred in Sherpa culture, and it is common for climbers and guides to participate in blessing ceremonies (known as puja) before beginning an expedition.
Sherpa communities have a deep knowledge of the Himalayan environment and high-altitude travel. Because of this, Sherpa climbers and guides played an important role in the early exploration of the Himalayas and continue to be central to modern mountaineering expeditions today.
Today, Sherpa guides, climbers and support teams remain an essential part of many Himalayan expeditions, particularly on peaks such as Mount Everest.
