Dewan Rai

Kathmandu:

A biologist turned cultural anthropologist and photographer reveals the world of the Sherpas to the urban eye.

I first came to Nepal as a trekker to see the mountains,” says Frances Klatzel, “but have stayed in Nepal to explore the culture, nature and the relationship between the two.” In 1980, as a trekker, she had visited to Nepal to see the mountains and the people living there. She returned to Nepal in 1983 and volunteered service to Tengboche monastery, Solukhumbu where she contributed immensely in preserving and documenting information about Sherpa culture. “I started collecting information about Sherpa culture, writing books, planning exhibition as well as writing display panels there,” she said. The Sherpa community regards highly her contribution for the advancement and preservation of the Sherpa culture of the Khumbu region.

During her stay for seven years in Khumbu region, she has written books - Stories and Customs of the Sherpas and The History of Wild Side of the Everest and has co-authored three books, all related to Sherpa community and culture. She also helped on the displays for the Visitor Centre at Sagarmatha National Park as she had had experience of working in national park in Canada. From 1995 to 1997, she documented the natural history of Makalu-Barun, the eastern Himalaya region. Part of her work was also to help some villagers in Shanhuwashabha with marketing handicrafts as a source of income. “Helping people to improve their livelihoods can help preserve the forest,” she suggests. The marketing of allo, a fibre from a plant used to make cloth items empowered Kulung Rai women of the region.

In a quest of exploring nature and culture she also worked briefly in Bhutan and Cambodia. A Nature Study Centre in Bhutan and Visitor Centre displays at Preah Khan in Angkor Wat are the result of her work.

Why does she like to study culture and nature? “Study of culture gives you a different frame of reference to look at your own culture,” she reasoned adding, “The nature and culture are dependent on each other.” She argues that the natural environment plays a role in developing a culture. “For instance, Sherpas do pujahs to harmonise their energy with nature around them. Kulung Rai culture revolves round the forest,” she observes as she describes her interest in a broader perspective. Klatzel’s photographs, mostly depicting Sherpa culture and rituals, are being shown at Siddhartha Art Gallery at Babarmahal. “Some of the rituals are to harmonise their energy, human community with power of nature,” she explains. This interaction of culture and nature is subject of study for her. The photographs in the show inspired litterateur Manjul to pen down poems, which he himself will recite on March 6 at the gallery.

Photography, writing and editing are her chief works. Presently, she has been involved with a publication company. Klatzel’s works are invaluable for naturalists and ethnographers. An oral historian, a writer and an artist are but a few labels — Klatzel is a true friend of Nepal.