The Society for the Preservation and Sharing of Himalayan Culture (The Himalayan Society) was founded in 2001 by Sherab Lama and Alex Semilof, PhD. The organization is non-political and non-religious in nature.

Sherab Lama, a native Tibetan, comes from a well-known lineage of a Mongol Chieftain family that settled in Tibet in 1688. Mr. Lama is a social scientist and a specialist on Himalayan oral traditions and cultural heritage. Mr. Lama also holds a Graduate Degree in Business Management from Calcutta University in West Bengal, India. Since 1980, he has worked as an international consultant on academic studies and research for universities as well as governmental and non-governmental agencies. Mr. Lama is the proprietor of the store Himalayan Frontiers in Raleigh.

Alex Semilof, PhD has 21 years of experience as a Human Resources/Training professional and is currently the International Human Resources Management Specialist for a large international nonprofit organization. Dr. Semilof is a recipient of a Masters of Arts in Liberal Studies degree from Duke University where the focus of his studies was Tibetan Buddhism.  He has recently received a Ph.D. in the same field. Dr. Semilof holds a second degree black belt and is a certified karate teacher (Sensei).

The combination of Mr. Lama's and Dr. Semilof's backgrounds has enabled them to realize the vast benefit and essential need for people in The West to become involved in helping to preserve the unique cultures of The Himalayan Frontier Region. This region includes tribal societies from the countries of Afghanistan, Pakistan (Baltistan), India (Kashmir, Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Tibet.

Preserving Unique, Multi-Ethnic Cultures

The Himalayan Society expounds that the preservation of these unique cultures is of vital importance to mankind. These cultures are among the last remaining civilizations built on honoring traditions that are centuries old including respect for the land, ancestral heritage, and the wealth that comes from balancing material development with interpersonal humanistic relationships.

The areas that make up The Himalayan Frontier Region are multi-ethnic and their populace has many different written and spoken languages. The people are mostly semi-nomadic and make their livelihood by traditional methods of farming and herding which are based on a profound and clear cut emphasis on environmental preservation for the benefit of future generations. They retain their culture including social, political and religious customs by oral transmission from society elders to the next generation.

The people of The Himalayan Frontier Region lack many of the technological advances we have in Western society and face many hardships that we in America have not faced in a long time. However, their uncompromising emphasis on importance of the harmonious co-existence between man and nature is highly advanced. They find joy and balance in their lives because they recognize that everything is interdependent and, therefore, sharing, co-operation and mutual respect is of utmost importance.

The cultural identity and continuation of the time-honored traditional way of life in The Himalayan Frontier Region is being gravely threatened and is on verge of being eliminated forever by inevitable rapid global encroachment. Short-term economic gains are aggressively being fueled by shortsighted contemporary politics. Younger generations are abandoning their tribal families to reside in larger towns in search of economic prosperity. In reality, they are often unsuccessful and their change in lifestyle becomes counter productive. These changes are resulting in cultural disharmony and disruption of the traditional role of the family and the community. The ways of the elders are no longer valued as in the past.

Encouraging a Positive & Balanced Transformation

It is not the intent of The Himalayan Society to attempt to turn back progress or to isolate this region from the rest of the world. On the contrary, we strongly believe that a positive and balanced transformation based on the inherent values of traditional ways must be encouraged. The Himalayan Society believes that, through an on outreach program, we can introduce to The Himalayan Frontier Region advances in technology, economic enterprise and health that will be compatible with the social mores of the populace. By assisting in better management of their agricultural lands, and by teaching them more productive techniques of animal husbandry and veterinary medicine, we can demonstrate that their traditional occupations of farming and herding can be more profitable. We can also help provide craftspeople and artisans with a venue to market their products in The West.

A vital function of The Himalayan Society is to establish a hands-on educational system (similar to the Montessori learning methods), that continues and preserves the native population's traditional way of life. This educational system will service both children and adults in The Himalayan Frontier Region. Mobile educational units will circulate throughout the region to accommodate for the nomadic way of life. Native elders will act as facilitators and give instruction in a curriculum based on native customs. Relevant modern topics will also be introduced. All teaching will be conducted in the native tongue.

As part of the cultural exchange, The Himalayan Society will document the history and culture of these regions. We plan to establish a permanent institute in the Raleigh area-one that will be a "Research Triangle" of interpersonal relationships and mutual learning. In addition to an extensive library and repository of written and visual information, there will be space for permanent and traveling exhibits, as well as room for lectures and instruction. It is our intent to sponsor lectures and demonstrations by Himalayan storytellers, musical performers and dancers, artisans, and doctors, who will then tour other regions of The United States.

The Himalayan Society will become a landmark organization in The West to share the authentic cultures of The East. These cultural exchanges will improve the standard of living for people in The Himalayan Frontier Region, while affording Westerners insight into new definitions of prosperity and contentment. We believe that many Westerners are beginning to appreciate the merits of living a more balanced way of life, emphasizing human interaction and sharing and de-emphasizing materialism and competition.