The Yeti: Legends and Mysteries

What is the Yeti?

It is generally accepted that the Yeti, also called ‘Abominable Snowman,’ is a legendary figure said to live in the Asia Himalayan mountain range, most especially in Nepal and Tibet. The descriptions vary greatly, but it is usually said to be large and ape-like. The Yeti has been known for centuries in Himalayan folklore and is often compared to the North American Bigfoot.

Myths and Legends

Himalayan Origins: The Yeti has deep roots in the cultural and spiritual traditions of people in the Himalayas as the Yeti is often regarded as a guardian of mountains and an abstraction of the wild.

Descriptions: Local renditions talk about different Varieties of Yetis ranging from the very large and fearsome one, the Nyalmo, to a small reddish-brown one called the Rang Shim Bombo.

Western Fame: The international famous Yeti became popularized starting in the 20th century, mainly due to stories of giant footprints in snow on some mountaineering expeditions.

Scientific Investigations

Misidentified Animals: Some researchers insist that sightings of the Yeti could have been caused by misidentified animals such as Himalayan brown bears or similarly sized langurs.

DNA Analysis: Analysis of hair and bone samples claimed to belong to the Yeti has shown them to usually belong to well-known species like bears or yaks.

Cultural Importance: The Yeti is still a symbol of mystery and the unknown, despite the scant, unalienable evidence to the contrary.

Critch & TC

Sources:

The Yeti, aka Abominable Snowman: A Classic Cryptid | HowStuffWorks

NEPAL: Myth and Folklore of the Yeti