Yolmo
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Yolmopa or simply Yolmo are the aboriginal people of Yolmo (Helambu transliterated) region, which comprises the Northwest part of Sindhupalchok, Northeast part of Nuwakot, Southeast part of Rasuwa and some parts of Dhading districts. They have unique culture, language, tradition and other ways of life. However, there are many similarities among other indigenous people of Himalayan religion. Yolmo have close cultural and linguistic affinity with the inhabitants of the Kerung and Rongsyar areas of Tibet Autonomous Region of China. Trade, tourism, Thanka painting, carpet webbing and farming are some major occupations of Yolmo people. According to the demographic census carried out in 2001, the population of Yolmo community has been shown only 579, but the speaker of Yolmo language has been mentioned 3,986.
The indigenous people living in the Yolmo (Helambu) region are known as Yolmopa. The name, Yolmo, has been derived by two words Yol (high area surrounded by mountains) and Mo (goddess ama Chyomo Yangri). Like the other inhabitants of the northern region, the culture and identity of Yolmopa indigenous people are derived from Tibetan language and culture. Considerable number of Yolmo people inhabit in villages like Katse, Tapkakharka, Sermathang, Chhimi, Tarkeghyang, Milimchhim, Nynemba, Chyomthili, Shomkharka, Magun and Manigairo and so many other areas. In these villages, it is possible to see the unique traditional houses and interior decoration. At present, more then 3000 families of Yolmopa indigenous people are living in Kathmandu, and more then 1000 men and women have gone to the United States and other countries in search of job.
Yolmo dialect belongs to the Tibeto-burman language and they use Ume script, which is widely used in their religious books. The Tibetan people also use the same script.
According to the Yolmo tradition the purification ceremony undergoes within the three and half days for son and 5 to 7 days for girl child after the birth. Usually Lama (specially their root Guru) carries out the christening ceremony of the child. In Yolmo society, marriage between the son and daughter of maternal uncle and paternal aunt is allowed. While in arrange marriage the boy side goes to the house of the girl side and offers Shalgar Sumden (full of alcoholic substance in a traditional wooden pot and some amount of money) and ask for the hand of the girl. If the parents or guardians of the girl accept the Shalgar Sumden it signify the consent given by the parents or guardians of the girl. But, if they refuge to accept the Shalgar Sumden directly or indirectly is signify the rejection of the proposal. During the marriage ceremony, the Lama gives blessings along with Yarka (putting butter on the head) to both the groom and bride. While, bringing the procession of the groom to the bride home on the day of the weeding they come with traditional dances called Shilu (singing and dancing weaving the Yak tale) and before returning with bride both the sides sing duet songs praising the groom and bride. The marriage rituals are onger in the groom's house than in the bride's house.
Yolmo people keep a dead person one or more days depending on the prophecy made by the Lama and during the time Lama readout some holy teachings and bless the deceased. Pho-wa (the chanting of Mantra to release the sense of dead person) and chanting of Mantra for fire are the two most important part of the cremation ceremony in Yolmo society. The deceased body adorns with ornaments and is carried in a palanquin for the cremation. There are many rituals to be fulfilled and the last rite is called Ghewa, which is undertaken within the third or seventh week after the death of a person. However, in villages there is no such time bar, they perform the Ghewa on the relevant time. Yolmo indigenous people celebrate Sonam Lhosar as their new year. In Lhosar they get Melam (blessing from the head of their family putting butter on the head, which is also called Yharka). Regarding the attire of Yolmo people the traditionally men wear Chhuba without throwing the sleeve like Sherpa or Bhote and women wear Chhuba (Bhakkhu) along with Surku (white overcoat like), Shama (thick stripped colorful apron used at the back) and Kara (white belt).
Yolmo community the Lama has to play a vital role in religious activities as well as has some influences on social activities too. Therefore, Yolmo Lamas are considered as the religious leader in Lamanistic Buddhism. Chiri Gumpa, Ghocheling Gumpa and Lhakhang Gumpa are well known Gumpas in Yolmo region.
The main profession of Yolmopa indigenous people is farming and nowadays they are engaging in other sectors as well like tourism, carpet-production, Thanka-painting, mural painting in monasteries and doing business. The major agriculture production in Yolmo region are potato, carrot, maize, barley, wheat, lettuce, millet and apple. They also keep domestic animals like sheep, goat and Chauri.
