For centuries, hemp ropes were the lifeline of Nepal’s agrarian and mountainous communities. The Cannabis sativa plant, cultivated not for its psychoactive properties but for its robust fibers, was a cornerstone of daily life. In villages like Humla and Jumla, families grew hemp in small plots, processing it into ropes that bound everything from plows to prayer flags.

Historical Anecdote: The Silk Road Connection

Long before synthetic materials, hemp ropes from Nepal’s western regions were traded along ancient routes connecting Tibet and India. Caravans carrying salt, wool, and spices relied on these ropes to secure their loads across treacherous Himalayan passes. 

Even Sir Edmund Hillary’s 1953 Everest expedition used hemp ropes sourced from local artisans—a fact overshadowed by modern climbing gear.

Spiritual Threads: Hemp in Ritual and Myth

Hemp’s role in Nepal transcends practicality. In many ethnic communities, it holds sacred significance:

• The Newar Tradition: During Indra Jatra, Newar priests in Kathmandu tie hemp ropes around the chariot of the rain god Indra, symbolizing cosmic order.

• Shamanic Rituals: In Dolpa, shamans use hemp ropes to “tether” spirits during healing ceremonies, believing the fibers channel ancestral energy.

• Lifecycle Rites: In Humla, newborns are wrapped in hemp cloth to ward off evil, and the deceased are buried with hemp ropes to guide their souls.

“Hemp is a bridge between worlds,” explains anthropologist Dr. Lhakpa Sherpa. “It’s not just a plant—it’s a thread connecting the living, the dead, and the divine.”

The Hemp Village of Rara

Near the pristine Rara Lake, the village of Murma was once renowned for its hemp ropes. Today, only four elders practice the craft. At a community workshop, 80-year-old Gopal Kami demonstrates the process:

1. Retting: Hemp stalks are soaked in the village pond for weeks to soften.
2. Breaking: Stalks are crushed with stones to separate fibers.
3. Spinning: Fibers are twisted into thread using a charkha (spinning wheel).

Modern Revival: NGOs, Fashion, and Policy

The Himalayan Hemp Collective

Founded in 2018, this NGO trains women in Humla to weave hemp into marketable products—bags, mats, and jewelry. Last year, they exported 500 kg of ropes to eco-conscious brands in Europe.

Hemp in High Fashion

Kathmandu-based designers incorporate hemp ropes into luxury garments. His 2023 collection, Threads of the Himalayas, debuted at Paris Fashion Week. It’s about honoring the artisans’ labor.

Policy Challenges

Despite hemp’s non-intoxicating nature, Nepal’s government restricts its cultivation due to global cannabis stigma. Activists are lobbying for legal reforms. “We’re not growing marijuana—we’re growing history,” argue farmers.

The Rope’s Legacy: A Symbol of Resilience

Hemp ropes embody Nepal’s ethos of jugaad—innovation amid scarcity. During the 2015 earthquake, villagers used hemp ropes to rescue survivors trapped in rubble. “Steel cables failed, but hemp held strong,” say some engineers.  “Traditional knowledge saves lives.”

Yet, the struggle continues. In Humla, artisans now knot hemp with recycled plastic, creating hybrid ropes sold as “eco-warrior” products.

Conclusion

The last rope makers of Nepal are not relics of the past—they are innovators, quietly rewriting their craft’s narrative. As global demand for sustainable materials grows, hemp’s revival offers hope. Every twisted fiber is an act of defiance. “Machines can’t replace the soul in these ropes,” people say, holding up a freshly spun coil. “This is Nepal’s heartbeat.”

In the end, the story of Nepal’s hemp ropes is not just about survival. It’s about resilience, reinvention, and the unbreakable thread connecting generations.