A pangden is a rectangular apron made of colorful stripes of cloth stitched together into a longer piece of fabric. Traditionally, it is a women's attire in the Sherpa community, historically symbolizing a woman's marital status.

Elderlies from Helambu wearing Bakkhu and Pangden on a bell platform at Bouddhanath Stupa. Photo by Nikki Thapa

The materials used in a pangden reflect the geography of its wearers. Traditionally made of wool, as seen in the photo above, Helambu women sitting by the big bell at Boudhanath Stupa, the woolen pangden is designed to keep the wearer warm when layered over a Bakkhu, a traditional Sherpa gown.

Dolma D. Sherpa, in her paper "Pangden: Sherpa Women and Marriage," explains that the pangden serves both practical and ornamental purposes. Besides being an essential part of traditional clothing, the vibrant pangden is multifunctional in both home and fieldwork. It provides warmth, serves as a kitchen towel for holding hot pans or wiping a baby's face, and offers a place to secure small items like sewing needles or flint.

However, like many traditional customs, the use of the pangden has evolved with the younger generation. Today, even unmarried girls wear pangdens during cultural gatherings or dance performances over their bakkhus, signifying a shift from its historical role.

A Helambu Woman wearing a Pangden watches Khandbari women dancing their hearts out in the Teej Festival at Pokhari Chowk in Khandbari, Sankhuwasabha District. Photo by Nikki Thapa

Reference: Pangden: Sherpa Women and Marriage by Dolma D. Sherpa.