Sherpas Migrated Into Nepal's Khumbu

Sherpas only migrated from Tibet into Nepal's Himalayan Khumbu region during the 13th and 14th centuries. Sherpa oral history says four clans, Minyakpa, Thimmi, Lamas Sherwa, and Chawa, traveled from Kham through U and Tsang, possibly because of conflict involving Mahayana Buddhism. These clans eventually developed into more than 20 groups, and the Khumbu Sherpas gained autonomy in newly formed Nepal by the 15th century.

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