2. THE BACKGROUND OF SIKH 2.1 Society
Ethnicity is a class of people who are bound by the identity or unity of consciousness and culture.Koentjaraningrat (1989: 154) says that a social group or
entity that has a system of human interaction, the system of norms, which regulate the interaction of a sense of continuity and a sense of identity that unites all
participant and has its own system of leadership. Barth (1969: 12) says that each ethnic group has its own cultural characteristics. Barth (1969:29) says that a community can be regarded as an ethnic group at least has the characteristics
inherent in these group, as well as distinguishing features of the other groups. This can be seen from the particular characteristics of ethnic Sikhs is owned by big,
burly, tall, long hair and beard, and wearing the Sorban in his head. 2.2 Sikh Beliefs
A Sikh (English pronunciation: / si:k/ or /sɪk/; Punjabi: sikkh [sɪkkʰ]) is a
follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term (śiṣya),
meaning "disciple, student" or (śikṣa).
A Sikh is one who follows the Sikh religion. The word Sikh means
disciple or learner. Sikhism is a divinely revealed religion founded by Guru Nanak (1469-1539). A sikh believes in the teachings of the ten Sikh Gurus, the Guru
Guru Nanak laid down the foundation of Sikhism and over a period of
about 239 years, the ten Sikh Gurus developed it into a universal faith. The Sikh beliefs are a product of their practice, preaching, and sacred writings.
a) One God
Sikh believe in one God; the sole creator of the universe. God is eternal, omnipotent, omnipresent, fearless, without enmity, is not incarnate, is not born
and does not die, is self-illuminated and is without shape or form. b) Equality
The Sikh believe in the equality of all human beings and stress gender equality.
The first Guru, Guru Nanak gave equal status to women, stating that women can not be inferior to men as they give birth to emperors,
Kings, queens and scientists. c) Kirat (work)
The Sikh faith teaches that one should earn a living by honest means. One should
not take what rightfully belong to others. d) Wand Chhakna (sharing)
Sharing your earnings with the poor and needy is a fundamental principle of Sikhism.
e) Sewa (service)
Sewa means service to humanity regardless of religious or political affiliation. f) Non-violence
g) Simran (meditation)
Simran is remembering God and repeating the holy name “satnam-waheguru, satnaam-waheguru.” Simran helps one to get closer to God and brings peace of mind.
h) Wellness of the entire human race
sikh, in their daily prayer, wish for the wellbeing of humanity. Guru nanak says, :
Nanak naam chardi kala tere bhane sarbat da bhalla”. i) Self discipline
Sikh are expected to be able to control passion (Kaam), anger (karodh), greed
(Lobh),materialistic attachment (moh), and ego (hankaar) 2.3Guru is Sikh Belief
TheTenGuru whoare respectedby theSikhs, namely: 1) Guru Nanak Dev Ji (1469-1539)
Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, was born in Talwandi, since called
Nankana Sahib (now in Pakistan). Guru Nanak had extraordinary foresight. He was always ready to help the poor and feed the hungry
2) Guru Angad Dev (1539-1552)
Guru angad dev was the scond Guru. He improved the script called Gurmukhi (from the mouth of the guru) for writing Punjabi and all of the Gurbani
3) Guru Amar Das (1552-1574)
Guru Amar Das, the third guru, believed in and preached the equality of humanity. Guru amar dasd sent many missionaries far and wide to spread the teachings of guru nanak.
4) Guru Ram Das - Guru 1574-1581
The standard Sikh marriage ceremony known as the Anand Karaj is
centered around the Lawan, a four stanza hymn composed by Guru Ram Das ji. The marriage couple circumscribe the Guru Granth Sahib ji as each stanza is read. The first round is the Divine consent for commencing the householders life
through marriage. The second round states that the union of the couple has been brought about by God. In the third round the couple is described as the most
fortunate as they have sung the praises of the Lord in the company of saints. In the fourth round the feeling of the couple that they have obtained their hearts desire and are being congratulated is described.
5) Guru Arjan Dev - Guru 1581-1606
He compiled the Adi Granth, the scriptures of the Sikhs, and wrote the
Sukhmani Sahib. To make it a universal teaching, Guru ji included in it hymns of Muslim saints as well those of low-caste pariah saints who were never permitted to enter various temples.
6) Guru Har Gobind - Guru 1606-1644
He was born in 1595. He was the son of Guru Arjan Dev and was known
thatextreme non-violence and pacifism would only encourage evil and so the
principles of Miri-Piri were established. 7) Guru Har Rai (1644-1661)
The seventh Guru, Guru Har rai was gentle and kind hearted. He opened a
hospital where medicines and treatments were given free. Even Prince dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Emperor Shah Jahan, was healed by his medicines.
8) Guru Har Krishan (1661-1664)
To the Sikhs he proved to be the very symbol of service, purity and truth. The Guru gave his life while serving and healing the epidemic-stricken people in
Delhi. The young Guru began to attend the sufferers irrespective of cast and creed. Particularly, the local Muslim population was much impressed with the purely
humanitarian deeds of the Guru Sahib and nicknamed him Bala Pir (child prophet).
9) Guru Tegh Bahadur - Guru from 1664 to 1675
He established the town of Anandpur. The Guru laid down his life for the protection of the Hindu religion, their Tilak (devotional forehead markings) and
their sacred (janeau) thread. He was a firm believer in the right of people to the freedom of worship. It was for this cause that he faced martyrdom for the defence of the down-trodden Hindus.
10) Guru Gobind Singh (1675-1708)
Guru Gobind Singh was the last Guru of the Sikh. He created Khalsa and
him. After the ceremony, guru gobind rai became Guru Gobind Singh. Many
more men and women were initiated.
2.4Gurdwara (The Sikh house of worship)
The word Gurdwara literally means Guru’s home. It is a place of worship
for the Sikhs. Guru Nanak held the very first prayers of Sikhism at his home in Kartarpur. Many gurdwaras have been built at important Sikh historical places in
the memory of the events that occurred there. The most significant gurdwara is
Hari Mandar Sahib better known as Golden Temple, in Amritsar.
The gurdwara building usually consists of two separate halls, one for
prayer (Congregation Hall) and the other for Langar. Some gurdwara use one hall both Kirtan and Langar for lack of space. Gurdwaras promote teaching punjabi,
religious education, music and physical activities.
The Guru Granth sahib Ji is the focal point of the prayer hall and is placed in a prominent site. As a mark of respect to the Guru, everyone must take off their
shoes, wash their hands and cover their heads before entering the prayer hall. One then walks down towards the altar and bows in front of the guru granth sahib.
Generally, a voluntary offering of cash is made at this time. Then, one sits on the carpet facing the Palki (altar) on which the Guru Granth Sahib Ji is placed.
All religious gatherings conclude by reciting an Ardas, the main Sikh
prayer, seeking the Guru’s blessing; and a random reading of the Guru Granth Sahib, which is also known as Hukam. The Hukam is regarded as the “order of the
The congregation sits on the floor or chair and is served a free meal.
Langar is donations of the congregation. Food is strictly vegetarian and all are welcome to eat regardless of their religion, caste, creed, color or social status.
Gurdwara usually employ a Granthi (a learned Sikh) to recite scriptures and to perform religious ceremonies. The Gurdwara is open to people of all religious. Visitors are encouraged.
2.5 Sikh Symbols
EkOnkar is the symbol that represents the "One Supreme Reality" or "One God." This fundamental teaching
of Sikhism, that there is only one Essence or one reality that
sustains all is paramount to the understanding of Sikh beliefs.Ek Onkar means "God is One." The
symbol is an emblem of the Sikh religion and is found on
Gurdwaras (Sikh temples) around the world. The symbol has some resemblance to the Sanskrit OM as seen in the Hindu religion. Ek Onkar forms the cornerstone of Sikh belief in the unity and oneness of God.
There is but one God. Truth by name, the creator, all-pervading spirit, without fear, without enmity. Whose existence is unaffected by time, who does
Vivekanand says,”Onkar is the most holy word of the Vedas". A symbolic word
meaning the Supreme Being, the Ocean of Knowledge and Bliss Absolute".
In the symbol the sword to the left represents truth, and the sword to the right represents the willingness to fight for what is right- dharma (religion). The
circle in the middle denotes the one God, never beginning and never ending. The Khanda represents knowledge of God, the Chakkar represents the
eternal nature of God and oneness of humanity, the two swords represent Miri
(political sovereignty) and Piri (spiritual sover
2.6 Sikh Scriptures
Definition scripture is a sacred, solemn, or authoritative book or piece of writing. Any book or body of writing, especially when regarded as sacred by a
particular religious texts. Religious texts, also known as scripture, scriptures, holy write or holly book, are the texts which various religius tradition consider to be sacred, or of cental importance to their religious
tradition. Many religions and spritual movements believe that their sacred texts are divinely or
supernaturally revealed or inspired.
The Guru Granth Sahib (Adi Granth) is the Sikh Holy Scripture. The fifth Guru, Guru Arjen Dev compiled Adi Granth is
famous for, the holy book of the Sikh religion. Scripture is then declared to be the Guru Granth Sahib by Guru Gobind Singh. The holy book contains the teachings
The basic Sikh principles contained in the Guru Granth Sahib are love of
God and mankind, community service, gender equality, honest living and tolerance of other religions. Honest living is the best form of worship in Sikhism.
Whatever advice or religious instructions Sikhs need, they can find it in
this sacred scripture. It is traditionally seated on a Palki (decorated seat), which is kept on a Takhat (raised palform) at a prominent place in the Gurdwara (Sikh
house of worship). It is covered with richly embroidered cloth called romalas.
Above it is a colorful Chaandani (canopy)
2.7 Marriage
Marriage is a social institution that can demonstrate that the civilized society, it means that there are rules that have become the customs in regulating
human behavior in relation to marriage. Soerojo (1987:122)says,“marriage is a very important event in the association in the community because it's not just about marriage and binds women and men who became the bride of course, but
their respective families. Marriage is a fundamental principal of human life because marriage is a matter that justifies the agency relationship between the
opposite sex and marriage is a law in public life”.
Irawati (2004:17) says that a marriage is a bond between the inner and outer man with a woman as husband and wife in order to establish a family or
household of the blessed and eternal. G. Singh (1969: 67) says that marriage is not only to augment the family members and not merely for the pleasure but marriage
2.8Ceremony
The ceremony is an act carried out by customs or religious sanctity or reverence that marks an event. Koentjaraningrat (1977: 241) says that the ceremony is a system of activity or course of action is styled by custom or law in
the community associated with a variety of events that remain are typically occurs in the community concerned.Koentjaraningrat (1977:243) says that The religious
ceremony is a ceremony that is sacred, in a series of events related to a religious system which is based on the teachings of the belief systems that exist within the religion. This ceremony is also to intensify the spirit of solidarity and lead to life
in a society that takes place repeatedly and at any given time.
Suyono (1991:369) says that ceremony as system activity or series of
actions organized by custom or law society concerned while traditional ceremonies associated with the interests of indigenous communities. Based on expert opinions above it can be concluded that the ceremony is universally serve
