About California Sherpa Association
California Sherpa Association (CSA) was established in June 2010 to bring together the Sherpa community in California.
Sherpa village pangboche Photo copyright: Kami Sherpa
The California Sherpa Association (CSA) has the objective of preserving Sherpa traditions by organizing cultural and Buddhist religious events.
Moreover, CSA also provides assistance to Sherpa people in times of need, both in California and Nepal.
It was registered as a 501 C (3) non-profit, non-political corporation in June 2010 in accordance with California state laws.
Additionally, it is a tax-exempt charitable organization under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
View from island peak Photo Copyright: Kami Sherpa
Sherpa is an ethnic community from the northern part of Nepal, primarily from Solukhumbu.
Sherpa people are famous for their mountaineering prowess.
monastery Tangboche Photo Copyright : Kami Sherpa
Most mountaineering expeditions rely on Sherpa guides and climbers due to their physical strength and ability to adapt to high altitude.
Tenzing Norgay, a Sherpa, and Sir Edmund Hillary were the first to summit Mt. Everest.
Mt. Ama Dablam Photo Copyright: Kami Sherpa
After Sir Edmund Hillary summited Mt. Everest, he made significant contributions to the development of the Solukhumbu region.
The Sherpa people practice Tibetan Buddhism.
View from island peak Photo Copyright: Kami Sherpa
Chronology of Sherpa History
(Most dates are approximate)
- 1480 Sherpas originally came from Kham/Tibet
- 1533 Sherpas cross Himalayas and settle in Khumbu area
- 1553 Settlement of Solu
- 1667 Founding of Pangboche monestery
- 1667-77 Founding of monestery at Thami and Rimijung
- 1720 Founding of Zhung monestery
- 1831 Founding of Khumjung monestery
- 1850 Birth of Karma, the senior founder of Tengboche monastery
- 1856 Birth if Sangye, Karma’s younger brother and the sole founder of Chiwang monastery
- 1885 Birth of Kusang, a Tengboche monestery sponsor
- 1905 Founding of Nauje/Namche monestery
- 1916 Founding of Tengboche monastery
- 1923 Founding of Chiwong monastery
- 1925 Founding of Debuche nunnery, near Tengboche
- 1953 Tenzing Norgay Sherpa and Sir Edmund Hillary became the first persons to summit Mt. Everest