October 22, 2019

Kham shaman cultural trekking in Nepal

October 22, 2019

7 min read

HB Thapa

Tikot Village, Myagdi - Photo: Durga Purja — Tikot Village, Myagdi – Photo: Durga Purja

Until 1950 no one outside Nepal knew anything about rituals and traditions related to shamanism (Jhankri and Dhamis) being practiced in Nepal.

However, after the visit of some of the foreign writers to the remote Himali regions of Nepal, it was exposed that the in the remotest parts of Nepal did exist the primordial practices of Shamanism which was the only medium of healing the local people from their natural ailments.

Shamanism has been existing in Nepal for ages among the believers of Buddhism and Hinduism alike. So, Nepal is one of the best destinations for popular Shamanism tours and trekking.

Traditional Shamanism is being practiced among the indigenous tribes of Gurung, Magar, Kham, Tamangs, and Rai as well across the remote villages of Nepal.

Rukum - Photo: Surendra Thapa — Rukum – Photo: Surendra Thapa

As for this article is concerned the main focus is on Kham Shamanism trek through the remote trails of Rolpa, Rukum, Baglung and Dhorptan areas. Kham People traditionally follow cultural rituals which are similar to those of Tibetan community. Even their physical features also resemble those of Tibetans. But the Khams are not enlisted as separate ethnic people in Nepal although they speak a distinctly different language known as Kham. They are enlisted as Kham -Magars of mid-western region, although their Kham language has no similarity with the Magar Language spoken by the Magars of the eastern region of Nepal.

It is believed that a true shaman can communicate well with the spirits of the dead man and cure the sick man caused by the spirits of the dead man.

The trek through the Shaman villages can let you immerse in the ceremonial rituals where the real practices are being done to heal a sick person by driving away from the evil spirit from the physical body of the sick person.

The traditional Kham shamans can perform a psych pomp ceremony of exorcising the house of the spirits of the dead and to purify the house.

The whole night performance of occult ceremonies can give you a unique and mystical experience and can make you feel as if you have landed in a different world of bizarre culture and rituals with a different sense of amusement.

The local Shamans among the Kham community of Rolpa and Rukum and northern parts of Baglung, Myagdi, and Dhorpatan area are really powerful cultural leaders. They can make animal sacrifices to heal a sick person and collect medicinal plants to make medicines for the sick man.

Trekking through the Kham areas as high as 3000 meters can offer you the unique and typical Tibetan type of lifestyles and cultures coupled with the beautiful views of mountains like those of Mt Dhaulagiri, rivers, valleys and gorges.

Kham women along the Kham Shamans trekking trail

The Kham Shaman trekking trail usually passes through Baglung, eastern Rukum, and Myagdi district. The beautiful trekking trail is endowed with wide-ranging natural resources and biodiversity, waterfalls, rivers, caves and stunning lakes to watch.

During the trek, you will also enjoy the Shepherd lifestyle in the highly elevated hills of Nepal. The beauty of the land, culture and lifestyles are unimaginable. These trekking regions are still unexplored by many travelers.