Saturday, December 29, 2007

The Band "Neiipal"


About Neiipal Band

(From left: Manjil, Nuru, Lakpa, Mingma and Udip)



Neiipal Band a nepali folk rock band formation started some times 2000 ere. It was a Mongolian group at first with no permanent members, except Lakpa T. Sherpa. The Band has been performing hither and thither in different places of the country with some temporary members since 2000. But the work and revenue generated had always been used for the social cause. Soon, the fame of band flourishes in the countryside where the band performs now and then. Their dedication made them to have permanent members. It was by 2006 that the band made them all attached and stucked and name their band as "Neiipal Band". It was Lakpa T. Sherpa leading the band and who still leads on as the main vocalist. The other members are Pemba Nuru Sherpa (Drums, Vocal), Manjil Mukarung (Lead Guitar), Udip Shrestha (Bass Guitar), and Mingma Sherpa (Madal, Percussion). The band had all professionals by then who had been performing under different banners.



Neiipal – Vol 1 has 8 songs which are collected from various parts of the country. Each and every songs in the album holds its own story, say it be the story of a 65 years old man from the Annapurna region or the songs of street children in Nepal. The songs sing stories and melodies of different places of Nepal.


The band has been performing at various places especially in the countryside and collecting funds for the social cause. Neiipal is also attached to a non-government organization named “Aashraya Foundation Nepal”. Since they have been serving the society through music and producing songs that depict the Nepali flavor, their music has its own meaning and message to convey. All the best Neiipal!


A Nepali Folk Rock Band "NEIIPAL"
Album Release - Neiipal vol- 1
Gurukul, Kathmandu

Sunday, December 23, 2007

Sherpa Clan [ sherwi ru]

SHERPA TRADITION(sherpa Clans)

Ru is a Sherpa word meaning bones. The male line tramsmits the ru (bones) and so the father’s lineage determines one’s clan membership. Four main clans originally came from Kham, in eastern Tibet, to Solu-Khumbu:the Thimi, Thakthowa, Chawa, and Lama. Each clan gave rise to several brother-clans and comtinuous migration has brought many new clans in to the area.
Most of the Sherpa clans came to Khumbu over the Nangpa La (pass). in to the area.

Most of the Sherpa clans came to Khumbu over the Nangpa La (pass).
Only the first arrivals, the Thimi, came via Rongshar and Rolwaling.
The Paldorjie clan gave rise to the Salakha, Dhag Shingto, Kambache and Goparma. A clan called Michen-topa in Kham, but Thakthowa here gave rise to the Gole, GArtsa, Pinasa, Pankarma, Sharpa penagpa and Shari-topa brother clans. From the Lama clan came the Serwa and Gombawa brother clans. The chawa remained a single clan that originated from a lama and his family that came from Tibet about 360 years ago.
Other clans that came to Khumbu more recently are Chu-sharwa, Murmin, Lhukpa, Nawa, Shangku, Zongnagpa, and Mendawa.Since then, many people have continued coming from Tibet and other parts of Nepal. Newarts, Chetris, Tamangs, and blackmiths (Kamis) have moved up from the lower valleys of Nepal. Though these people are from different areas and religions, they often pray to the Buddha while here in Khumbu.

Each clan gases its own deity and ways of doing pujahs. Sherpa custom does not allow marriage between members of the same clan or brother clans.Upper Khumbu People usually pray to gonpo Maning, a deity who is sometimes male at other times female. Solu people worship Gonpo chagshipa, who has four arms. Different clans pray to other deities. paldorjie prays to Bhari Lhatsen Newa to Tawache, chu sharwa to Lobuche, Sherwa to Arkamche, Thakthowa to Lung kyung Bhari, Mendawa to Zhamte Chen. There are also special deities worshipped by the clans do pujabs.
Source: Sherpa Culture and Tourism in Khumbu Valley
Thesis by Ang Tshering Sherpa "Namche"

Tuesday, December 18, 2007

Some Important days in Sherpa Tradition

Some Important days in Sherpa Tradition
Sherpas follow the Tibetan calendar. People offer tsog, torma on the eighth, tenth, fifteenth, and thirtieth days of the months. Each of these days is for each form of Buddha. The eight is for Sangye Menla, the Medicine Buddha, on the tenth Guru Rinpoche returns to earth, fifteenth day is when Opame, the Buddha of infinite light, visits and the thirtieth day is the Buddha's auspicious day. Other special days, such as Saga Dawa, the fourth month, is Buddha's month. The seventh day of this month is the birth of the Buddha and the fifteenth is his enlightenment. Drugpa tse shi, fourth day of the sixth month, observes the first day Buddha taught. The 22nd day of the ninth month celebrates the return of Buddha to earth after teaching his mother in the deity's place.

Most of the rites are performed in between the first to fifteenth of the month, dawa hyarngo, and these days are considered auspicious for other ceremonies also. Religious rites are performed during this period. The remaining fifteen days from chhewa churuk to namgang (six¬teenth to twenty-ninth, or dawa marngo or waning moon) of the month are taken as inauspicious days.

Friday, December 14, 2007

Sherpa/ Tibetan Horoscope

Horoscope

The Sherpa’s follow the Tibetan Calendar and astrology. Each individual born is possessed with a unique element. There are five element Earth, Fire, Water, Wood, and Metal. The term “element” is to be understood as a dynamic principle, a principle of energy.
The Sherpa’s consider a child to be one year old at birth. If a child is born on the day after Losar (New Year), it is considered to be two years old the next day. As far as Sherpas are concerned, real birth takes place at the moment of conception.
The twelve animals represent the year.
The Rat Years: 1900, 1912, 1924,1936,19481960,1972,1984,1996, 2008
Charming yet aggressive, expressive yet secretive, mean and yet honest. Rat people are talented, sensual and loyal and devoted. The Rat is independent and careful, keenly aware of the need to protect its internal universe and accumulate wealth- the Rat likes money. The Rat is sensual and appreciates luxury. In its emotional life, it is sentimental and generous to those it likes, particularly its family. They make great politician or business man.
Rats should seek out Ox for stability, the Monkey for fun, and the Dragon for the harmony-but avoid the Horse at all costs.

The Ox Years: 1901,1913,1925,1937,19491961,1973,1985,1997,2009
The Ox people are hardworking, solid, and dependable. But beware beneath their seemingly tranquil nature can lie stubbornness. The Ox makes a caring and patient friend and a faithful, sometimes possessive lover. The Ox’s quite strength, its sober intelligence and logic, its competence and its sense of responsibility makes its someone to be trusted. It is an excellent leader and demands as much of itself as of others.
Ox people will find compatibility with Rats, Snakes and Birds but enmity with Sheeps

The Tiger Years: 1902, 1914,1926,1938,19501962,1974,1986, 1998, 2010
Courageous, noble and generous, Tigers are magnetic characters and born leaders. They do have their weak side, though: they can be over sensitive, bossy and immoderate. Tiger’s fond for independence can lead to unconventional life style. It has an artistic imagination and keeps away from the beaten track. It meets challenges with audacity but lack moderation and has difficulty calming its emotions. The Tiger is romantic and passionate lover, jealous not very faithful and always feels a need to pour out its heart.
Tigers match perfectly with Dogs and Horses. Sheep should stay clear of them.

The RabbitYears: 1903, 1915, 1927,1939,19511963,1975,1987,1999, 2011
Rabbits are popular people with a great sense of style. But they can also be conservative and insecure. Rabbits shine as lawyers and politicians. The Rabbits is also worldly and enjoys luxury. It is not endowed with great bravery and seeks to avoid all difficulties without getting involved. It’s even polite to enemies but beware the Rabbit is crafty and its attacks are subtle and devious. In love, the Rabbit is sensual but not very faithful and it does not like to involve in emotions.
Rabbits team up well with Dragons and Pigs. For a Rabbit-Rabbit relationship to work there will have to be a plenty of money.

The DragonYears: 1904,1916,1928,1940,19521964,1976,1988,2000,2012
Feisty, powerful, lucky, and flamboyant person. The Dragon is said to be blessed with four things: wealth, virtue, harmony and long life- as long as it is in control. Full of energy and convinced of its own superiority. The Dragon is very demanding and is never satisfied with those around it. The Dragon is full of enthusiasm, intuitive and endowed with superior intelligence. In society, it likes pomp and born showman. They never accept defeat and nothing can overcome it.Dragons are generous and energetic and is a good friend who advice is valuable. The Dragon is very open and cannot easily conceal its explosive feelings. Its sincere and demanding lover. Dragons and Rats make a fantastic union but there could be competition and fighting if Dragons unit with Dogs.

The SnakeYears: 1905,1917,1929,1941,19531965,1977,1989,2001,2013
Refined and diplomatic, charming, popular and endowed with innate wisdom. Snake people are irresistible not only for their intellect but also their beauty. But don’t believe all a Snake tells you-they can be deceptive. The Snake talks little, keeps its own secrets, thinks a lot and trusts only its own judgment. It does not tolerate hardship or defeat and can become jealous and play dirty. Although the Snake is sociable, it is touchy, untrustworthy and easily angered. The Snake knows how to change its skin and learn quickly from the experience. Snakes dominates its partner but it not always faithful
Snake and Birds let love rule, but Pigs will never impress.

The HorseYears: 1906, 1918,1930,1942,1954 1966, 1978,1990,2002,2014
Sociable, dynamic and sexy, the Horse is always to be found at the centre of any crowd. But horse people are so selfish and rash and despite their need to belong are true individuals at heart. It is adventurous and soon leaves the family to explore the world. It is very sociable, brilliant than intelligent, and draws itself to inventive people who will help it to attain success. It is an eloquent leader sometimes talks too much and cannot keep a secret. Its nature is changeable and unstable. The Horse is an opportunist and cannot bear to be ignored. Although the Horse is an egoist, it is neither jealous nor possessive, but its impatience can lead to disaster. Its interest fades as soon as it is aroused.The Horse will find happiness with the Dog but grief with the Rats.

The SheepYears: 1907,1919,1931,1943,1955 1967,1979,1991,2003,2015
Often writers, painters, and astrologers. Sheep people are artistics, sincere and gentle. But with their creative gifts can sometimes come insecurities and laziness. It is a first class team member but has no initiative and cannot exercise leadership. In its desire to be protected, it can easily allow itself to be used. The Sheep is a pessimist and a worrier, easily loses its practical sense, and takes refuge in dreams. In adversity, it sulks in the corner and its weakness is disarming. It gets what it wants without violence and by devious path and does not hesitate to become a parasite. In love, it is superficial and unstable, but a protective partner is good for it.
The Sheep will find happiness with the Pig and Rabbit but should steer clear of the Ox.

The MonkeyYears: 1908,1920,1932,1944,1956 1968,1980,1992,2004,2016
The monkeys are the life and soul of the party as well as brilliant problem solvers. They’re most likely to be famous – and the most likely to tell a lie. The Monkey is inventive and well adapted to life and likes the movement and great undertaking. It is wily, lively, agile and at home in any work. The Monkey is a clever diplomat and a born strategist who never acts without a plan in mind. It never allows itself to be trapped and escapes from the difficulties by means of clever dances of which it alone know the secret. The monkey is an opportunist and seizes any chance that presents itself and profits from it. It is entirely amoral and performs good or bad acts with equal indifference as long as they are to its own benefit. It is cultured and has a great thirst for knowledge and abandons once it has mastered. It may meet obstacles and difficulties but its lucidity and suppleness enable it to land on its feet. In love, the Monkey is still an adolescent, seductive and passionate.
Monkeys and Dragons make for a sizzling combination but Monkeys shouldn’t tackle any Tigers.

The BirdYears: 1909,1921,1933,1945,1957 1969,1981,1993,2005,2017
The Bird may be solemn and conservative or talkative and eccentric, but is always observant, alert and candid. The Bird can sometimes be insensitive and indiscreet. It has an enquiring mind and a lively intelligence. It enjoys witticism and display where it can use its colorful appearance. It is confident, amusing, joyful and garrulous and loses no opportunity to talk about itself. The Bird seems sure of itself but is really deeply anxious about its image. It is selfish and stubborn and thinks it is always in the right. Its dreams are somewhat fantastic and ambitious, and if it fails it always think it can do better next time. It is a perfectionist and good organizer and manger with sound financial sense.
In its emotional life, it knows the height and the depths and it finds difficultly in achieving balance. If it learns how to calm itself, it can find happiness in simplicity.
Birds match well with Snakes and get steamy with Rats but finds no happiness with Rabbits.

The DogYears: 1910, 1922,1934,1946,1958 1970, 1982,1994,2006,2018
Dogs are dutiful, honest, and sincere people with a passion for justice. This makes for a serious and idealistic person well suited to being a teacher, priest or doctor. The Dog is intelligent and has a strong sense of justice, and is a conscientious worker. It cannot help itself from lending a helping hand. It cannot tolerate hypocrisy or ill will, but its anger is brief. The Dog moralizes and analyzes the situations so much that it becomes pessimistic. Its life is a heavy burden and if it persists in taking everything seriously, it will have few opportunities for happiness. The Dog’s affection are lasting if it is able to master its pessimism.
Dogs find harmony with Tigers and Horses-although they should avoid Dragons

The PigYears: 1911,1923,1935,1947,19591971,1983,1995,2007,2019
Honest and strong. Its heart is pure and without malice. It is a good person with stable and beneficial friendship and can be trusted. It is tolerant, hates lies, and prefers silence. Pigs are popular because they seek harmony. But be warned-pegs can be hedonists to the point of depravity. Caring yet jealous. Although it appears to be unselfish, the Pig is fond of money. It is generous to friends and likes to share but expects to be repaid when the occasion arises. If it need be, it will help itself.
Pigs match well with Rabbits and goats, but should avoid Snakes.
Source: sherpagroups

Thursday, December 6, 2007

Everest Marathon 2007

Everest Marathon 2007


काठमाडौं, मंसिर १९ - एभरेस्ट म्याराथनको उपाधि सशस्त्र प्रहरीका लोकबहादर रोकाले जितेका छन् । सगरमाथाको काखमा रहेको गोक्सेपबाट सुरु भएर हिमाली गाउ“ ठमु हु“दै नाम्चेबजारमा आएर टुंगिएको म्याराथनमा रोकाले ४ घन्टा ९ मिनेट ४८ सेकेन्डमा निर्धारित दूरी पूरा गरेका थिए । दोस्रो कर्मारिता शर्ेपा भए । उनले ४ घन्टा ३० मिनेट १८ सेकेन्डमा दूरी पार गरेका थिए । तेस्रो स्थान कर्माशेरकी शर्ेपाले जितेका छन् । उनले ४ घन्टा ३५ मिनेट ४७ सेकेन्डको समय निकाले ।
त्यसैगरी महिलातर्फस्कटल्यान्डकी एन्जेला मेरीले ४ घन्टा ५९ मिनेटमा दूरी पार गरी प्रथम स्थान हात पारेकी छन् । दोस्रो र तेस्रो क्रमशः ल्हाक्पादिकी शर्ेपा र निमायाङजी शर्ेपाले हात पारे । उनीहरू दुवैले निर्धारित दूरी ५ घन्टा १८ मिनेट र ५ घन्टा १८ मिनेट २० सेकेन्डमा पूरा गरेका छन् । विदेशीतर्फबेलायतका क्र्याग मोटाक्सले पहिलो स्थान हात पारे । उनले ४ घन्टा ५१ मिनेटमा दूरी पूरा गरे । दोस्रो र तेस्ा्रो क्रमशः स्कटल्यान्डकी एन्जेला मेरी र न्युजिल्यान्डका साम बेकरले उपाधि जिते । महिलातर्फप्रथम स्थान हात पार्न सफल एन्जेला मेरी विदेशीतर्फो प्रतिस्पर्धामा भने दोस्रो स्थानमा चित्त बुझाउन बाध्य भइन् ।
म्यारथनमा स्वदेशी तथा विदेशी गरी ८७ जनाले भाग लिएका थिए । विदेशीतर्फ६८ र स्वदेशी १९ ले सहभागिता जनाएका थिए । उक्त म्याराथन बेलायती नागरिक डागना पेनिकले प्रत्येक दर्ुइ वर्षा आयोजना गर्दै आएकी छन् । उनले सन् १९८७ देखि एभरेस्ट म्याराथन गर्दै आएकी हुन् ।
खुम्बुको कठ्याङ्ग्रिने जाडामा सहभागीहरू उत्साहसाथ दौडेको स्थानीय कामीरिता शर्ेपाले जानकारी दिए । सहभागिबाट उठेको रमक उनले नाम्चेको डेन्टल क्लिनिक र शिक्षामा लगानी गर्ने भएको शर्ेपाले बताए ।

Yeti Footprints found at Khumbu

Himalayan News Service

A team of explorers has arrived in the capital with an exciting story of finding footprints of yeti near the base camp of Mount Everest, at Khumbu.“We are happy to say that we have found footprints of yeti. And the snowman is no more a legend for us now,” Joshua Gates, the team leader of the expedition of the American television channel Destination Truth, told the media today.Showing the model of the footprint, collected at the site, he added that some scientific research would continue in the US regarding its authenticity and other phases of exploration for further studies.The team, consisting of 9 Americans and 14 Nepalis, left Kathmandu on 24 November and arrived here today after competing the expedition. After finding the footprints, they chartered a helicopter and directly flew back to the capital.He said that the team found the footprints when it was returning from Khumbu by the confluence of Ghettekhola and Dudhkoshi rivers, near Monju village at a height of 2,850 metres.It was Tul Bahadur Rai, assistant guide of the team, who first spotted the footprint by the riverbank.“It was the night of November 28. I cried in excitement when I saw the footprints. I called all the members and they took photographs and also made a model of the footprint, after they were convinced that it indeed was a footprint,” he told this daily.He also said that one of the prints was around 12 inches long and others were smaller because the ground was not even and the prints were not clear.This is not the first time, footprints of yeti, a species of hairy, humpbacked and dark giant biped ape, were found in Nepal’s Himalayan valleys. In 1925 a Greek photographer, NA Tombazi, claimed that he had spotted an ape-like creature walking in the valley near Mt Everest. Another noted explorer who claimed to have seen yeti was the father of Tenzing Norgay Sherpa, the first person to climb Everest.Similarly, British mountaineers Eric Shipton and Michael Ward found the yeti footprints in 1951 near the border area.Even Sir Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide, Tenzing Norgay, found giant footprints on the way up the top of Mount Everest, in 1953.