What should sikhs wear

A dumalla is a larger, rounder turban. There is a smaller round turban tied by some Sikh men. Sikh women who tie turbans tend to wear round ones as well. Within this style, there are regional differences — British Sikhs and African Sikhs tend to wear smaller, sharper turbans using starched cloth compared to North American Sikhs, whose turbans are generally softer. Indian Sikhs will often tie larger turbans. Apparently, size matters. I typically get my turbans from South Asian fabric shops, online turban retailers, or at Sikh festivals.

As for care, many people will hand wash their turbans, though I put mine in the washing machine set on the delicate cycle and hang to dry. When I was a kid and my hair got long enough, my mother would tie on me until I could what is known as a patka — basically, a rectangular cloth tied around my head like a bandana that covered my bun of hair.

Most boys will wear a patka until they learn how to tie the full turban, and many will instead have a handkerchief just covering their hair bun on the top of their heads.

Sikh men will also often wear a patka when playing sports. Sikhs are supposed to keep their heads covered when in public. Actually, flowing water can be fatal to a tied turban. We can be rather hydrophobic when it rains. I will say, however, that my turban does make for a convenient pillow during air travel. Like many Sikh children, I was bullied quite a bit in school, and my patka was the target of my harassers.

Bullies would try to pull it off, or just try to mess with it. This was obviously very humiliating to me as a boy, given the sacred nature of our turbans. As an adult, I still get asked this from time to time. Play your cards right and I can even tie one on you. In the Sikh tradition, a truly religious person is one who cultivates the spiritual self while also serving the communities around them — or a saint-soldier.

The saint-soldier ideal applies to women and men alike. In this spirit, Sikh women and men maintain five articles of faith, popularly known as the five Ks. These are: kes long, uncut hair , kara steel bracelet , kanga wooden comb , kirpan small sword and kachera soldier-shorts.

Although little historical evidence exists to explain why these particular articles were chosen, the five Ks continue to provide the community with a collective identity, binding together individuals on the basis of a shared belief and practice.

As I understand, Sikhs cherish these articles of faith as gifts from their gurus. Turbans are an important part of the Sikh identity. Both women and men may wear turbans. Like the articles of faith, Sikhs regard their turbans as gifts given by their beloved gurus, and their meaning is deeply personal. The Sikh gurus adopted the turban , in part, to remind Sikhs that all humans are sovereign, royal and ultimately equal.

After British colonizers in India seized power of Punjab in , where a majority of the Sikh community was based, Sikhs began migrating to various regions controlled by the British Empire, including Southeast Asia, East Africa and the United Kingdom itself.

Based on what was available to them, Sikhs played various roles in these communities, including military service, agricultural work and railway construction. More liberal elements insist that it is a matter of personal choice and that you can be Sikh regardless of whether you have been baptised or wear a turban. Like any religion, Sikhism is divided between orthodox and unorthodox currents, and where you stand on this debate depends on how you choose to practice it.

The Sikh turban also finds itself affected by some current trends. Within Britain it is becoming increasingly popular among Sikh females to wear them, something that has not traditionally been done, — even though Guru Gobind Singh never proscribed it.

Despite the challenges facing the Sikh turban, it is likely to remain the indelible hallmark of history and faith that it was intended to be. This article is more than 4 years old. Vivek Chaudhary. When Sikhism was sprouting in the South Asian subcontinent, the caste system stratified society. Higher castes would sit on stools and chairs and eat, while the lowest caste were not allowed to eat even in the same room, and usually on the floor, away from sight.

The Gurus wanted Sikhs to always practice egalitarianism and communal responsibility. Langar represents one of the institutions the Gurus founded to break down caste barriers. The Sikh marriage ceremony is called Anand Karaj. It is performed in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib, the eternal Guru and Sikh sacred scripture. In a Sikh marriage ceremony, select verses are read from the Guru Granth Sahib, and after each verse, the couple walks around the Guru Granth Sahib, showing their commitment to the teachings being read.

This is done four times. Following this, a communal prayer is said for the couple and religious hymns are sung. The ceremony may be performed by any initiated member of the Sikh faith.

The prayers being read indicate that the couple pledge allegiance to each other as well as the Sikh way of life and make a commitment to working together to help each other realize the Divine Presence.

Sikhs are taught to focus on their actions and deeds in this lifetime to attain union with the Divine, as opposed to focussing on notions of heaven and hell. The Sikh scripture supports the idea of reincarnation. According to the Sikh Rehat Maryada, Sikhs may dispose of the body of the deceased in any way they like, althoughSikhs generally cremate the deceased body because it is clean, simple and environmentally-friendly.

The body is bathed and clothed in fresh clothes by family members, and community members say collective prayers. The Sikh scripture and eternal Guru, the Guru Granth Sahib, is the only major religious text which contains writings by teachers of other faiths. This is because the Sikh Gurus taught that there are many different ways of achieving a connection with God.

The Sikh way is one of these ways. If you are following the Sikh way, you must follow it to the best of your abilities, with absolute devotion. Sikhism forbids proselytization or forced conversions. Sikhism believes that there are many paths to achieving union with the Divine.

However, Sikhism welcomes those interested in learning about the religion. Thus, people might learn about Sikh faith and then even be initiated as Sikhs. Individuals from any background can choose to adopt the faith. Once someone is initiated as a Sikh, they must follow the Sikh path to the best of their ability. Need legal assistance? Request legal assistance from the Sikh Coalition. Contact Us.