Migration of Sherpa’s

According to experts, before fixing the political demarcation line of Nepal and Tibet, Sherpa’s came to reside in Solukhumbu periphery. They came here after crossing 19050 feet height. According to experts they came in SoluKhumbu region for prosperous life and religion and not due to any war and fight. There have to be some reason related to Buddhism for their arrival in the Solukhumbu region. There are some other reasons due to which they came here. There is a linkage with ancient priest in regard to migration of Sherpa people in this region. There was uninhabited region in the lap of the highest peak of the world ‘Mount Everest’. At the time of Sakyamuni Buddha, the second Buddha of Odean Lopon Pema Shanbhava had acquired land of Khempolung in the Everest region. Coming to the time around 1440 A. respected guru and Pioneer Ratna Lingpa observed the area of SoluKhumbu well and stayed in the cave for some time. Later on he predicted this area as suitable to inhabit his followers and disciples.

There is a say that anything can’t self evolve without depending on anything. Similarly, the disciple of Guru Ratna Lingpa, and son of Chak Meyak Donak Ringbu, Kyap Oak Sange Paljyor came to settle in the Khumbu area at around 1480, following the prediction of his guru Ratna Lingpa. Dakhang Gyakarwa Chempo accompanied him. It is found that one group of their settled in Pangboche and the other group settled in Dingboche. They have migrated up to Kham, Meyak, Gholok, Sherta nad Amdo. Up to 1786 A.D. Sherpas were having independent life without dependent to anyone. Many wars occurred over the span of time. ‘Baise and Chaubise’ principalities were united. Later on, with the use of ploy rather than force, the then government of Nepal occupied the land of Sherpa taking aged and intellectual people in its grip. For that government had many round of dialogue with these people. This process took place during 1786 through to 1829. Sherpas were given right to follow and continue their culture and tradition as it was before. Numerous locations used for war, and caves used as war fort can be seen even now also.

At last, king Mahindra, as according to the decision of Nepal China Joint Boarder committee, announced declaration in October 4, 1961. This declaration had for reaching consequences in the communal life of Sherpa. According to Kantipur national daily of 17 June, 2003, some Sherpa community were became part of autonomous province of China, the Tibet, while some became part of Nepal. Examples of this are Sherpas of Tinke Jong across Sankhuwa sabha, Sherpa’s of Ronsyar across Lapchi of Dolakha and Sherpas of Khasa across Tatopani of Sindhu Palchowk. This is the proof that politics has divided and dispersed our Sherpa community.

Similarly, Sherpas, slowly and gradually, have been living with their identity in hilly regions like Ramechap, Dolakha, Sindhupalchowk, Okaldhunga, Bhojpur, Sankhuwasabha and Ilam. Due to the recent trend of migration they are residing in almost all districts of Nepal and various geographies of the world keeping their identity.