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Orientalism in Himalayan Climbing : 

Orientalism in Himalayan Climbing Anna Coogan 08/15/06

Orientalism: 

Orientalism “that specific form of knowledge created to establish and describe the fundamental differences between something broadly defined as the east, characterized by backwardness and spirituality, and something called the west, characterized by forward-looking rationalism.” (Robbins, 63)

Us and them: 

Us and them Can you perceive the world outside your own cultural lenses? Soft Constructionism: “objective world filtered through cultural lenses” (Leila!)

Himalayan climbing: 

Himalayan climbing Khumbu region of Nepal: -Mt. Everest, worlds highest peak: 8,848 meters. -Nuptse: 7,879 meters -Lhotse: 8,510 meters -Amadablam: 6,858 meters

History of Himalayan Climbing: 

History of Himalayan Climbing Mt Everest discovered to be highest peak on earth in 1849 during British survey. The race was on! First official attempt by British expedition in 1921. Not successfully climbed until 1953, by Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay.

Who are the Sherpas?: 

Who are the Sherpas? Only about 3,500 Sherpas in Khumbu region. More live in Darjeeling and Tibet. Khumbu Sherpas migrated from Tibet 500 years ago to escape political strife. Language based on Tibetan, but it is not a written language. (This is important!)

Potatoes and Naks: 

Potatoes and Naks Subsistence farming: potatoes and buckwheat grown in terraced hillside gardens. Naks, (like a yak but with a funny name) yaks, and cows provide dairy Much commerce done in trade until the arrival of Westerners

Adventure Tourism: 

Adventure Tourism In the 1960’s, only a few thousand people had visited the region, mostly involved in mountaineering expeditions to Everest and the neighboring peaks. The first trekking lodge was opened in 1971. By the mid 1980’s, 15% of households ran inns, and by 1991, some 27% of households were involved in lodge owning. (Stevens, 415)

Physiology: 

Physiology Most Sherpa settlements in the Khumbu between 3,000 meters and 5,000 meters Sherpas best adapted humans to high altitudes (West 1984) Actually use O2 more efficiently than the rest of us!

East meets West: 

East meets West References to the “simple Sherpa” abound in literature. “Caused unbounded delight in the simple heart of the Sherpa” (Murray 18) “Above all, a Sherpa can laugh…He is cheerful by nature, (being Mongolian).” (Murray 85)

Why do people climb Mt. Everest?: 

Why do people climb Mt. Everest? “Because it is there” -George Mallory

Slide18: 

“The ascent is an unparalled journey of both legendary and mythic proportions. Join Mountain Madness as we journey to the top of the world to gain mountaineering’s ultimate prize” -Mountain Madness Brochure

Slide19: 

“For those who dare to face their dreams, the experience offers something beyond the power of words to describe.” Adventure Consultants brochure, before 1996 Everest tragedy when leader Rob Hall was killed.

Why do Sherpas climb?: 

Why do Sherpas climb? Climbing earns between 1,400-2,500 dollars a season in an area where the typical yearly income is 160 dollars. (Krakauer 45) Himalayas are sacred home of gods. Sherpa name for Mt. Everest “Chogmolungma”- means “goddess mother of the earth.”

Risks : 

Risks Climbing is one of the deadliest sports possible. (If not the deadliest) Of 115 deaths on Mt. Everest, 43 have been Sherpas.

Death is Easy?: 

Death is Easy? “It is easy for the Sherpas. They believe that everything is ordained from above. If one of them dies, it was meant to happen.” (Ortner 143) “The Sherpas were not long dismayed from the accident. For they hold that a man dies when his time has come and only when the gods decree.” (Murray 79)

Sherry Ortner : 

Sherry Ortner “An illustration of Sahb orientalism in Himalayan mountaineering, which has authorized repeatedly risking and costing the lives of people defined as not caring about life.” (Ortner 147)

Food for thought: 

Food for thought Climbing has led to the commercialization of the Khumbu region. In 2001, an estimated 27,000 people visited the area. (Byers 2005) This many not be positive or negative. Still, it has profound effects of the region and its people.