A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development

Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2010

Questions like {u2018}who are we{u2019}? and {u2018}where do we fit in{u2019}? are becoming increasingly common in mountain industry of Nepal where Sherpa ethnic identity has double meaning as the dwellers of high Himalayas and a famous wage occupation in mountain tourism.The thesis through in-depth interviews seeks to understand the making of distinct gendered ethnic identities that are mutually constituted by the growing mountain tourism industry in Nepal, with a view to offer insights into how particular identities evolve in emerging economic niches.The economic dependency on tourism has brought changes in gender ethnic identities of the Sherpa. Changes are inevitable especially in places which has tourism influence. Tourism has been the catalyst to loosen the cultural norms and roles especially for women. Gender identities changes and can be disrupted where Sherpa women and men are reproducing gender identities by being care taker and breadwinners respectively. However tourism could not bring change in professions related to mountain tourism which is overtly gendered and reflects local and trans-national norms of {u2018}women{u2019}s work{u2019}. Tourism being a lucrative source of income women and men who are less educated from all the geographical locations are increasingly being part this industry where Sherpa ethnic identity is an established brand name. The Sherpa wants to affirm Sherpa identity among the Sherpa thus tourism becomes a site of contestation. Specifically among the men of same sex of different ethnicity who are involved in mountaineering industry. Ethnic and gender identities compete for ascendency as Sherpa ethnic identity is the symbolic capital identity in this industry. Sherpa brand has created gender hierarchy and subordination especially among the men as it is a gendered industry. The symbolic {u2018}Sherpa{u2019} identity is gender and ethnic and so are the benefits sharing. In future Sherpa may fall from globally recognized perch position of mountain tourism. For that reason, mountaineering is done by courage and determination but not by a particular gender and ethnicity.