In chapters 8 and 9 of Into Thin Air, I decided to focus my attention
on the culture of the Sherpas. The definition of Sherpa is “a member of the
Himalayan people living in Nepal and Tibet who are famous for their skill as
mountaineers.” On page 108, we are introduced to Ang Dorje, the well-respected
sirdar (head Sherpa) of the Adventure Consultants expedition. Krakauer says
that Rob Hall “considered Ang Dorje’s role crucial to the success of our
expedition” (110).
Krakauer makes it very clear that
the Sherpas play a very important role in climbing Mount Everest, but it seems
like they are not always treated so. Hall makes a comment about Fischer’s
consideration for Ngawang’s illness in which he says, “If it had been one of
Scott’s clients who was this sick, instead of a Sherpa, I don’t think he would
have been treated so haphazardly” (117). Not only did Fischer not make a great
effort to save his life, but Ngawang himself resisted treatment.
Ngawang’s refusal to accept his own
dire situation was interesting to me, but it is just the way of the Sherpa
culture. Krakauer explains this by saying, “But there is an element of machismo
in the Sherpa culture that makes many men extremely reluctant to acknowledge
physical infirmities. Sherpas aren’t supposed to get altitude illness…Those who
do become sick and openly acknowledge it, moreover, will often be blacklisted
from future employment on expeditions” (113). What do you guys think? Are the
Sherpas willing to risk their lives because it is part of their culture? Or is
it that moreover they feel pressure to secure their jobs with Western society?
-Amanda
Sherpa's are amazing individuals with all of their talents in mountain climbing and surviving. And to answer the question, yes, I do feel that Sherpa's are willing to risk their lives as part of their culture. In the book Krakauer talks about how Sherpa's are supposed to be acclamated with the high altitudes and if they show weakness they are forever seen as a weak Sherpa. They also do not want to appear weak because if they show weakness chances are no expedition will choose them for a later voyage and they will be out of work and will have to go back to earning a very minimum like they are accustomed too. My question is do you think these sherpa's have become westernized? Is their pursuit of money now greater than their lives?
ReplyDeleteSherpa's are very noble people. Mount Everest is there home and I think that the fact they are treated as if they are less important then the people in the rest of the crew is extremely disrespectful. They were there first and they have to do all of the leg work like carry bags for the crew. I think that it is wrong for them to be treated unequally, if anything they should be respected more than anyone else for what they do. To answer Shane's question, I think they have became westernized in that they are chasing money when they climb Everest, but at the same time I don't think that they are treating it as it is greater than there lives I think that a select few want to push themselves in the way Krakeaur, Rob Hall, and co. want to push themselves to their own limits by climbing Everest.
ReplyDeleteNick
I think it's definitely a mix of both. The Sherpas take great pride in climbing and it is a huge part of their lifestyle. Their country is not developed and technologically advanced, so being able to thrive in these conditions plays a large role in the survival and success in their culture. They also are not as privileged as those from other countries, so securing a job is very important. A Sherpa who can make a living with guided Everest climbs, is at a big advantage in their culture because they are capitalizing on their unique ability to climb. They benefit by turning a way of life into a paid job. So I don't think they climb Everest to prove their cultures ability, but rather because someone is willing to pay for their help and their unique climbing ability.
ReplyDelete-Jordan