Sherpa

Member of a Mongolian people who originally migrated from Tibet and now live in northeastern Nepal. They are related to the Tibetans. Skilled mountaineers, they frequently work as support staff and guides for climbing expeditions.

Traditionally farmers, they grow wheat, barley, and potatoes and breed sheep, goats, and yaks. Until recently a great deal of trading was done with Tibet and Nepal, in salt, rice, wool, spices, yaks, and small manufactured goods from India. The Sherpas are Lamaist Buddhists.