The Sikhs of North America

1. The Sikhs of North America Sikhs (pronounced “sickhs”) are people who follow the Sikh religion. Sikhism began many years ago in the Punjab region, located north of India . The Sikhs that live there speak the Punjabi language. Today, many people who follow the Sikh religion also live in the United States and Canada. The religion began with a man named Guru Nanak. The word “guru” means someone who can take you from darkness to light andguides you on the right path. This is a picture of India. The Punjab region is located North of India There are five things that identify a person as a Sikh. These include: uncut hair that is often held up in a turban, a steel bracelet, a small ornamental sword that is carried at all times, a small comb and breeches or shorts that are worn underneath a person’s clothing. Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, gave these five gifts to the Sikhs. All Sikhs that choose to go through an initiation ceremony called Amrit wear these articles of faith. Sikh men have the last name Singh, meaning lion, and women have the last name Kaur, meaning princess.

2. Today, many Sikhs belong to youth groups that are designed for Sikh children and young adults. These groups meet to teach Sikhs about their unique religious and cultural history and traditions. Sikh kids also meet just to have fun and hang out with other people who follow the same religion as themselves. Many of these youth groups are connected to a community’s Gurdwara. For Sikh families, the Gurdwara -- like a church or temple for Sikhs -- is a place for people to meet and share their religious and other traditions. It is a center for Sikh life and is a place where people can gather for special ceremonies like those marking a marriage, the birth of a baby or a death in a family. Gurdwaras have kitchens so that meals can be made and shared with the entire community. People of every religion are welcome at Gurdwaras and in the community kitchen. Also, when people pray and worship in the Gurdwara, everyone sits on the floor all grouped together -- there is no one in front of or, higher than anyone else. This a way for Sikhs to show that everyone is an equal. The Sikh religion recognizes equality among all people. That means that everyone -- men or women -- are treated in the same way. All members of the Sikh religion believe in only one God -- they are monotheists like Jews, Christians and Muslims. All Sikhs are expected to work hard, to be good and giving people, worship God and provide service for all Humanity.