Jirel

The Jirel (also known as Jiripas) of Nepal are both ethnically and linguistically related to both the Sherpas and Sunuwars. Their population of 5,300 are centered on the village of Jiri. The word Jiri means bear's lair.

Their main occupation is agriculture. Plants that include wheat, barley, maize etc are probably planted. Little is known about them, but their close affinities with the Sherpa suggest that their culture is a form of the Bhoti culture.

The Jirels follow a form of Tibetan Lamaism, often mixing some animist and Hindu rituals and beliefs along with it. A Buddhist Lama is known as a Phomba in their dialect. However, under Hindu influence, the number of local Buddhist lamas are dwindling, as the Jirel conduct their marriages and other pujas with the assistance of Brahmins.