Sherpa Facts (SF)

Sherpa Facts (SF) are little tidbits of information about Sherpa, Nepali, and Sikkimese culture that will help you understand the world I live in.

• Sherpa is an ethnicity - not the people who carry things up mountains!  The Sherpa are actually one of many Himalayan tribes.  They originally came over from Tibet and settled in the Himalayas in Nepal, India, and Bhutan.  The Sherpa tribe became famous when Tenzing Norgay Sherpa guided Edmund Hillary up Mount Everest.  Many Sherpa people now act as guides for climbers attempting to conquer Mount Everest.
• Everyone who is from the Sherpa tribe has the last name of Sherpa.
• Didi is the Nepali word for older sister.  I call all of my older sister-in-laws Didi.
• Daju is the Nepali word for older brother.  I call all of my older brother-in-laws Daju.
• Papa is the Sherpa word for father.  I call Passang's father Papa.
• Amma is the Nepali word for mother.  I call Passang's mother Amma.
•  Momos are a traditional Himalayan dumpling very similar to a pot-sticker.  They are usually served steamed but can also be fried, and they are always served with a fresh home-made hot sauce called “achar”
• Achar is the word we use for any kind of pickle or chutney that is served with a dish.  It may be fresh or pickled and is usually spicy.  Typically it is used to add flavor and heat to the food we eat.
• The Lepcha are one of the tribes of the Himalayas and one of the indigenous peoples of Sikkim.