ORDERING SHERPA LIFE THROUGH THEIR RITUALS: SYMBOLICIINTERPRETATlVE PERSPECTIVE (A REVIEW OF "SHERPAS THROUGH THEIR

Abstract

Descriptive approach and interpretive approach are the commonly used approaches in anthropological or cultural study. The descriptive approach/perspective help readers by describing the cultural phenomena associated with particular culture. The goal of interpretative approach/perspective is to interpret or to open the cultural events and phenomena into different meaning according to time, context and conditions. Among these two, first one tries to familiarize the readers with the particular culture while another tries to interpret the same culture into different situation with different meanings. A symbol is something verbal or non-verbal, within a particular culture (language, communication/conversation, sign articulation) that comes to stand for something else. The verbal symbols are the linguistic, sign or some representation of certain meaning. There are non-verbal symbols, such as flags, dress, etc., which stand for a nation's representation. Holy water is a potent symbol in Roman Catholicism. As is true of all symbols, the association between a symbol (e.g. water) and what is symbolized (holiness) is arbitrary and conventional. Water is not Mr. Bishnu Prasad Dahal is an Anthropologist and has been associated with the Department orSociology/Anthropolog). Patiln Multiple Campus. Patan T. U.. in aCapacity of Assitant Lecture