Sherpa Clans (Ru) and Lineage
Introduction
In the Sherpa language, the term “Roo” means “bones”. Clan membership is determined through the father’s lineage, as the male line transmits the “ru” (bones) from generation to generation.
The four primary Sherpa clans—Thimmi, Tharktho, Chawa, and Lama—originated from Kham, in eastern Tibet, before migrating to Solu-Khumbu, Nepal. Over time, these main clans expanded into numerous brother-clans, with continued migration bringing even more clans into the region.
Migration and Settlement
Most Sherpa clans arrived in Khumbu by crossing the Nangpa La pass, while the Thimmi clan, the first to arrive, came via Rongshar and Roiwaling.
Several major clans evolved from their ancestral lineages:
The Paldorje clan gave rise to the Salakha, Dhag Shingto, Kambache, and Goparma clans.
The Michen-topa clan (originally from Kham, later called Tharktho in Khumbu) split into the Gole, Gorcha, Phinasa, Pangkarma, Sharpa Penagpa, and Shari-toda brother-clans.
The Lama clan led to the formation of the Serwa and Gombawa brother-clans.
The Chawa clan remained a single lineage, descending from a lama and his family who migrated from Tibet about 360 years ago.
In more recent times, additional clans such as Chhusharwa, Murmi-tsho, Lhukpa, Nawa, Shangu, Jonagpa, and Mendewa have settled in Khumbu.
Beyond the Sherpa community, Newars, Chetris, Tamangs, and Kamis (blacksmiths) have also migrated from Nepal’s lower valleys. Though these groups come from different ethnic and religious backgrounds, many practice Buddhist traditions while living in Khumbu.
Religious Traditions and Clan Deities
Each Sherpa clan has its own deity and distinct ritual practices (pujas). Sherpa tradition forbids marriage between members of the same clan or brother-clans to maintain lineage distinction.
In Upper Khumbu, people primarily worship Gonpo Maning, a deity who can appear as either male or female.
In Solu, the predominant deity is Gonpo Chagshipa, depicted with four arms.
Different clans honor specific deities:
Paldorje clan → Bhari Latsen
Nawa clan → Thrawache
Chhusharwa clan → Lobuche
Sherwa clan → Arkamche
Tharktho clan → Lung-kyung Bhari
Mendewa clan → Kharte Gyalu
Chawa clan → Chagpe-chagkung Karpo
Gorcha clan → Zhamte Chen
Additionally, the Shorung clans worship their own unique deities, reflecting the diverse spiritual traditions within the Sherpa community. These deities represent the varied ways in which different clans perform pujas and maintain their spiritual heritage.
Some content on this page is adapted from the book Story and Customs of the Sherpas by Frances Klatzel, based on the stories told by Tengboche Rinpoche, Ngawang Tenzin Zangbu. All rights belong to the original authors.