Exploring Himalayan Cultural and Textual Heritage

This book grew out of a research project funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), which was dedicated to the scientific legacy of the Tibetologist and ethnologist René Nebesky-Wojkowitz (1923 1959). The starting point was a symposium held at the Weltmuseum Wien in November 2019. In the course of the project work, more and more materials about Nebesky-Wojkowitzs life and work became available, significantly enriching the books contributions. These new sources provided a deeper understanding of the research conditions in the Himalayas of the 1950s and offered valuable insights into Nebesky-Wojkowitzs international academic network. Nebesky-Wojkowitz was a pioneer in Himalayan studies. He combined ethnographythe study of people and cultures through fieldworkwith philology, the study of languages and texts, particularly Tibetan and Lepcha. In this sense, he can be seen as the first Ethno-Tibetologist, whose interdisciplinary approach inspired later generations of scholars exploring how texts are used and understood within local cultures. In Vienna in particular, his work laid the foundations for important studies on mountain deities, rituals, and everyday religious practices. Another distinctive aspect of his research was its strong connection to the historical moment in which he worked: he carried out his studies just after the end of colonial rule in India. His first major field site was Kalimpong in West Bengal, which at that time was an important contact zone between different cultures. Later, he also turned his attention to Nepal, which had only recently opened to researchers. Several contributions in the book explore how Nebesky-Wojkowitzs research is perceived locally today. Few personal memories of him remain, and only a small number of his publications are widely known. However, his ethnographic collections and manuscripts are preserved in museums and archives in Vienna and other European cities. This enables future Indigenous researchers to draw on these materials in safeguarding their own cultural heritage. It becomes clear that Nebesky-Wojkowitz, with his interdisciplinary approach, close contacts on site, and international networking during a time of radical change, occupies a special place in the history of Himalayan studies. The volume offers a foundation for re-evaluating his legacy, critically reflecting on his methods, and gaining a deeper understanding of the development of Tibetan and Himalayan studies since his time. The twelve contributions of the book are divided into three parts: the first focuses on Nebesky- Wojkowitz as a personhis significance, research interests, and influence on scholarship. The second looks at his time in India and Nepal, his local contacts, and how his work was received there. The third section presents new research inspired by his example. The epilogue provides an overview of Himalayan studies during Nebesky-Wojkowitzs lifetime and an outlook on how the field evolved thereafter.