However, because of the tourism industry, Western culture has influenced many of the Helambu Sherpa villages. Along with the colorful aprons, the women wear wrapped dresses called bhokkus , which are ankle-length. The men also like to wear thick sheep-skin jackets. Most of the Helambu Sherpa are Buddhists. Every home has a decorated corner set aside for their gods.
High places are often areas of worship.
There, flags with prayers written on them are hung in hopes that some god may hear their pleas. Colorful festivals are abundant, each one devoted to obtaining favor with a different god. The mild face of the Buddha occupies every Helambu Sherpa altar. One festival, Gyawa, takes place 49 days after the death of a loved-one. The people gather to eat as much as possible during the festival, believing the food will go toward nourishing the loved one who has died.