Important Items used by Sherpa People
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Gyachok : Square, Chinese style table that are ornately carved
with traditional designs such as dragons and the eight lucky symbols, jewels and
other motifs. Gyachok is often reserved for the head of the household or senior
guests. (Note : This one is painted by the Late Khapa Pasang Norbu).
Chhusang or Zaa : Copper Vessel
or Water Storage Basin.ZAA literally means copper. Copper vessels of various sizes
are found in a Sherpa House. The Copper vessels used specifically for storing water
are called CHHUSANG.
Trolum : BUTTER CHURN. TROLUM, a much larger version of DONGMU
is used for churning yoghurt to extract butter. Fresh Yoghurt is poured into a TROLUM
and churned until butter separates from the liquid whey. TROLUM is essential equipment
at herding camp during summer milking season.
Gurmu : MADE FROM BAMBOO : GURMU is used for grains to dry specially
during the rainy season. It is kept above the fireplace to dry things.
Threka : POT BELIED WOODEN BARREL. THREKA is a pot bellied wooden
barrel with a narrow neck. These are carved from a log using a water powered lathe.
THREKA are excellent storage containers for liquids such as alcohol, milk and yoghurt.
Dosom : CYLINDRICAL WOODEN BARREL : A DOSOM is a cylindrical
barrel made of split fir shakes bound with juniper straps. This barrel is used for
storing fermented grains for brewing alcohol (Chang – rice beer).