Sikh Society Research Articles

‘Diabetes doesn’t matter as long as we’re keeping traditions alive’: a qualitative study exploring the knowledge and awareness of Type 2 diabetes and related risk factors amongst the young Punjabi Sikh population in the UK

ABSTRACT Objectives: It is well known that Sikhs are at an increased risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) due to a genetic predisposition. High level of education is associated with lower incidence of T2DM. Young Sikhs are well educated compared to other South Asian sub-groups. Despite this, T2DM rates remain high in Sikhs. The uptake of preventative services is also low within Sikhs. At present, no research has been conducted with the young Punjabi Sikh population on diabetes awareness in the UK. To address this gap, this study explores the knowledge and awareness of T2DM and related modifiable risk factors in the UK Punjabi Sikh community. Views surrounding T2DM health-seeking behaviours are also explored. Design: A qualitative design comprising of 1-to-1 semi-structured interviews was adopted. Thirteen Punjabi Sikh participants between the ages of 18–30 took part. Participants were recruited through a Sikh temple and University of Manchester Sikh Society using purposive and snowball sampling in West Yorkshire and North West England. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis taking a critical realist stance. Results: Three themes were identified: (1) Perceptions of the causes of T2DM, (2) Perceptions of factors impacting physical activity and diet, and (3) Attitudes towards health-seeking behaviours. Conclusions: The findings show that although well educated, participants overlooked physical activity as contributing factor towards T2DM onset. Additionally, gender and cultural norms influenced physical activity and diet, as these are passed through generations to preserve the collectivist Sikh culture. Exploration of health seeking behaviours also found young Punjabi Sikhs perceived the internet to be the preferred tool to seek T2DM information. These findings hold implications for health professionals, as the information and preventative services provided to Sikhs can be tailored to be culturally appropriate and in line with cultural and gender norms, such as bhangra dancing for physical activity.

‘In Our Whole Society, There Is No Equality’: Sikh Householding and the Intersection of Gender and Caste

Sikhism is widely understood and celebrated as san egalitarian religion. This follows from its interpretation as a challenge to the caste schema of Hinduism as well as readings which suggest its gender equality. This paper explores the intersection of caste and gender in Sikh society in relation to Guru Nanak’s tenet that Sikhs be householders. Nanak’s view that householding is the basis of religious life and spiritual liberation—as opposed to the caste Hindu framework in which householding relates only to the specific stage of life in which one is married and concerned with domestic affairs—was one of the most important social and ritual reforms he introduced. By eliminating the need for an asceticism supported by householders, or in other words the binary framework of lay and renunciant persons, Nanak envisioned the possibility that the rewards of ascetism could accrue to householders. For Sikhs living at Kartarpur, the first intentional Sikh community, established by Guru Nanak as a place of gathering and meditation, Nanak’s egalitarian ideals were practiced so that women and members of all castes were equal participants. Guru Nanak’s model for social and ritual life presents a radical challenge to the hierarchies and exclusions of Hinduism, and yet, contains within it the basis for ongoing caste and gender disparity for Sikhs, since most Sikhs continue to arrange their householding around caste endogamous marriages and social and domestic arrangements which privilege men. Taking the position shared by a number of Sikh ethnographic informants, and supported by a number of feminist scholars, that the realization of an equal Sikh society remains incomplete, I juxtapose the continued acquiescence to caste and gender with the vision of an ideal and socially just society put forward by the Gurus.

Interrogating Gender in Sikh Tradition and Practice

In contemporary Sikh society, what we consider religious is constantly being challenged, but for Sikhs, what remain constant are Sikhi’s sacred texts—they continue to be the paramount teacher and guide. Within this consistency, I ask the question: how can Sikh feminist ideas of representation and identity find expression in response to our understanding/practice of our faith, our institutions, and of the everyday Sikh symbols? This paper critically examines the gendered nature of the Guru Granth, practices within the gurdwaras, and focuses on a part of the Rahit Maryada (Code of Conduct) as an area of exploration in the understanding of the everyday ascribed five symbols of Sikhi (punj kakar) through a feminist lens. I undertake this in order to gain a gendered appreciation of how the scriptures, religious institutions, and the articles of faith resonate with the feminine.

Radicalisation of public sentiment in Sikh society after 1947

In founding a new religious denomination – Sikhism – Guru Nanak in a way combine two rival religions – Hinduism and Islam. The tolerant nature of Sikhism garnered him many proponents, which contributed to the establishment of the Sikh Empire in the 19 th century. The empire flourished until it was overthrown by armed forces of the British Crown. After the departure of the British colonisers in 1947, the idea of creating a sovereign Sikh state called Khalistan arose in Punjab – the cradle of Sikhism in India. Gradually, the sentiments of large portion of the Sikh population became radicalised. A terrorist organisation, formed by Sikh fundamentalist Jarnail Bhindranwale and supported by many Sikhs, began persecuting the followers of other religions and fighting for the creation of a Sikh state in Punjab. The radicalisation of public sentiments among the Sikh population led to mass pogroms, a military operation in the Sikhs’ holy place and the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the prime minister of India.

Anthropology of Economy and the Sikh Concept of kirat karnī

The article ‘Anthropology of Economy and the Sikh Concept of kirat karnī ’ describes one of the most important concepts of the youngest monotheistic religion – Sikhism, concerning the ethos of work in a wider context of economic anthropology. Sikhs, often called “the protestants of India,” do not follow the cast system of Hindu society, instead choosing the path of equality and aiming at the improvement of the economic status of people. The research is based on the canonical texts included in the holy book of Sikhism and interpretations of scriptures that were written in the span of over 200 years. The paper explains the philosophical and practical meaning of kirat karnī in Sikhism along with its understanding and development in the contemporary Sikh society in Indian Punjab.

Debating Revolution: Early eighteenth century Sikh public philosophy on the formation of the Khalsa

AbstractThis paper examines the public debate that happened among Delhi's Sikh community following the formation of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh. The detail of this debate was expressed in the early eighteenth century Sikh text, Sri Gur Sobha. The Sri Gur Sobha explains how Delhi's Sikhs became divided into pro-Khalsa and anti-Khalsa factions, and how this conflict resulted in a campaign of persecution against Delhi's Khalsa Sikhs. In this paper I endeavour to analyse exactly why this dispute occurred and how it reflects wider political and socio-economic processes in early modern India and Sikh society. In addition, the paper will explore how the elite Khatri community consequently became an object of hatred in eighteenth century Khalsa Sikh literature.

EARLY SIKH HISTORIOGRAPHY

In this paper I explore how ‘doxa’ has influenced the historical study of medieval and early modern Sikhism. In particular the paper focuses on the reign of Guru Hargobind and his intellectual contest with his cousin and spiritual rival, Miharvan. The contest between Hargobind and Miharvan demonstrates how medieval Sikh society was not conveniently divided into ‘orthodox’ and ‘unorthodox’ sections. Rather, the Sikh community was influenced by a variety of socio-economic, political and intellectual factors that affected the way in which the community thought about Sikhism. Moreover, the paper examines how dialogical readings of primary sources can enable scholars to develop a more dynamic historical understanding of early Sikhism.

The Politics of Passion: Structure and Strategy in Sikh Society. By Harry IzmirlianJr., Columbia, Mo.: South Asia Books, 1979. xi, 221 pp. Appendix, Bibliography, Index. $14.

The Politics of Passion: Structure and Strategy in Sikh Society. By Harry IzmirlianJr., Columbia, Mo.: South Asia Books, 1979. xi, 221 pp. Appendix, Bibliography, Index. $14.

: The Politics of Inequality: Competition and Control in an Indian Village . Miriam Sharma. ; The Politics of Passion: Structure and Strategy in Sikh Society . Harry Izmirlian, Jr..

: The Politics of Inequality: Competition and Control in an Indian Village . Miriam Sharma. ; The Politics of Passion: Structure and Strategy in Sikh Society . Harry Izmirlian, Jr..

From Turbans to Inverted Triangles: South Asian Social Anthropology: Human Fertility in India: Social Components and Policy Perspectives . David G. Mandelbaum. ; Robber Noblement: A Study of the Political System of the Sikh Jats . Joyce Pettigrew. ; Girl Students in Jaipur: A Study in Attitudes towards Family Life, Marriage, and Career . Cora Vreede-de Stuers. ; Kinship and

Human Fertility in India: Social Components and Policy Perspectives. David G. Mandelbaum. Robber Noblement: A Study of the Political System of the Sikh Jats. Joyce Pettigrew. Girl Students in Jaipur: A Study in Attitudes Towards Family Life, Marriage, and Career. Cora Vreede-de Stuers. Kinship and Urbanization: White Collar Migrants in North India. Sylvia Vatuk. The Transformation of Sikh Society. Ethne K. Marenco.

The Sikh Gurus and the Sikh Society

The Sikh Gurus and the Sikh Society

Niharranjan Ray: The Sikh Gurus and the Sikh society: a study in social analysis, [ix], 205 pp. Patiala: Punjabi University, 1970.

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