The Living Quaters

In this the greater of the buildings, yaks were kept at ground level. Upstairs, their milk was churned into butter for tea, their hair knitted into clothing and their meat and cheese was preserved. Here scores of wooden drawers were used to store wheat.

An absence of interior walls allowed the heat from the earthen hearth to spread all around and into the furthest corners, so family activities were conducted in full view of all members. It was here that Pertemba Sherpa was born.

A side room was once used for entertaining guests, with a carved doorway that could receive them directly off the street outside (still the main village thoroughfare).

Many of the old family utensils and artefacts are still on site and were often made by the family members, as were the good luck emblems painted below the rafters and on the wooden panelling.

Outside the courtyard, onto which all rooms in both wings provide access, is still cobbled in such a way as to give a firm foothold to man and beast.