Culture and Religion Information Sheet Sikhism January 2021 Aim Service providers and employers who recognise, value and promote cultural and This factsheet aims to raise awareness and religious diversity can address more fully the understanding of Sikh religious and needs of their clients and staff, thus providing cultural practices to assist with providing services based on good practice. Respecting culturally appropriate services, activities the roles of religion in various cultures is part of and information. courteous, ethical and professional behaviour, Introduction which promotes a just and equitable society. Western Australia is a multiethnic, multi- History of Sikhism in religious and multicultural society. Religious freedom and mutual respect for all religions Western Australia are integral parts of our shared culture Sikhs are known to have arrived in WA in the and are important underlying principles of early 19th century although it is probable multiculturalism and democracy. that a greater number of them arrived during the second half of the century. Shiploads of There are a number of international treaties and camels were brought to Australia in the 1860s national laws that recognise freedom of religion and, although their handlers were known as and belief as fundamental human rights, such ‘Afghans’, there were Sikhs among them. For as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights example, Pal Singh (clearly a Sikh by his name) 1948, the International Covenant on Civil and was a camel owner who arrived in 1886 and Political Rights 1966 and the Australian Human lived in Wyndham in WA. Rights Commission Act 1986. In 1898, 45 Perth Sikhs signed a petition to the In Western Australia it is unlawful under the Secretary of State for the Colonies requesting Equal Opportunity Act 1984 to discriminate better treatment and livelihood. However, the against a person because of their religious 1901 Census indicated that there were 261 conviction in certain areas of public life Afghans in WA but no Indians, so it is likely that including employment, education, the all Sikhs were listed as Afghans. provision of goods, services and facilities, in Many early Sikh settlers worked as camel accommodation, clubs and in application forms handlers, while others travelled around WA selling wares. In 1932, a group of Sikhs were (see the Equal Opportunity Commission website allocated a piece of land on the Canning River http://www.eoc.wa.gov.au/Index.aspx). for use as a cremation ground after a dying Sikh man immolated himself, fearing that he would be buried. The annulment of the White Australia Policy The information contained in this Office of Multicultural in 1973 saw increased opportunities for Sikh Interests (OMI) information sheet is made available migration with Sikhs coming to WA from India, in good faith, is derived from sources believed to be the UK, east Africa, Singapore, Malaysia and Fiji. reliable and accurate at the time of release and does not necessarily reflect the views of OMI. All efforts have There are now three Sikh temples (called been made to ensure the accuracy of the material; OMI Gurdwaras) in WA—in Canning Vale, Bayswater cannot accept responsibility for any omissions or errors. and Bennett Springs in the Swan Valley. The If you would like to give feedback, please contact OMI saffron flag with a unique emblem called the on [email protected]. Khanda (signifying righteous and truthful living in complete harmony within all communities) identifies these premises. 1 Culture and religion information sheet—Sikhism Demographics Key beliefs According to the 2016 Census, there were Sikhs believe that the 10 gurus were one with 11,902 people affiliated with the Sikh religion in the divine being and each had divine attributes. Western Australia, an increase of 6990 people, The first guru is Guru Nanak Dev Ji and the 10th or 142.3 per cent, compared with the 2011 Census. guru is Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The tenth guru Between the 2011 and 2016 Censuses, the anointed the Holy Book 'Guru Granth Sahib' as the living eternal guru of the Sikhs. The Holy number of people in Australia who identified as Book is treated with the utmost reverence Sikhs increased by 53,608 people, or 74.1 per cent. and respect. For more demographic and socioeconomic information on Sikhism, visit Search Diversity The Sikh way of life is based on: WA on the Office of Multicultural Interests • Nam japna—remember God's name with website at www.omi.wa.gov.au/resources-and- every breath statistics/search-diversity-wa . • Kirat karni—work and earn by the sweat of Sikhism: background and origins the brow, live a family way of life and practise truthfulness and honesty in all dealings The Sikh religion is one of the world’s youngest religions. It was founded in 1469 in • Vand ke chakna—share and live as an Punjab, North India, by Guru Nanak Dev Ji, in inspiration and support to the whole response to a spiritual revelation. Nanak and community his nine successors are known as 'gurus', which is a term for a spiritual guide or teacher. • control of kaam (desire), krodh (anger), lobh (greed), moh (attachment) and hankar (pride). Guru Nanak taught that true religion consists of always being mindful of God, meditating on Sikhs believe that reincarnation (the cycle of the name and attributes of God and reflecting life–death–rebirth) is for those who do not attain on God’s power in all activities of daily life. attachment to God during the human life cycle. Guru Nanak's followers became known as Sikhs (from the Sanskrit word shishysa), which Language and communication means disciple. The Holy Book, the 'Guru Granth Sahib', is the ultimate spiritual authority Nearly all Sikhs in WA are fluent in written and for Sikhs. It contains the teachings and spoken English and Punjabi. devotional compositions written and recorded The written script used by Sikhs is Gurmukhi. by the Sikh Gurus and some contemporary Hindu and Muslim saints. The Guru Granth Names and titles Sahib is at the heart of Sikh worship and its presence lends sanctity to the Sikh place of All Sikh males carry the surname of Singh worship, the Gurdwara. (which means lion) and Sikh females carry the name Kaur (which means lioness/princess). In The concept of Sikhism includes: some cases the ancestral names are included • universal acceptance of all humanity after the surname. belief in one God • Referring to a Sikh male as Mr Singh and Miss/ • the name of God is Truth: 'Sat Nam' Mrs Kaur is acceptable but it would be preferred • equality of all persons irrespective of their that the full name is used when more than one caste, colour, gender, nationality and religion Sikh is present. • equality of the sexes is emphasised. Culture and religion information sheet—Sikhism 2 Body language and behaviour Greeting Non-verbal communication can vary between The following sensitivities need to be observed cultures. Non-verbal signals acceptable in on greeting or introduction: one culture may be completely unacceptable • Sikhs in Australia follow the normal or even offensive in another. Some of the handshake in greeting, although the sensitivities to be understood in this area traditional preferred way of greeting is with include the following: folded hands. This is especially the case when • For Sikhs, the head or turban is sacred. greeting a person of the opposite sex. The A Sikh’s head or turban should never be Sikh greeting is 'Sat Sri Akal' (God is the Truth). touched or insulted in any way. This is also • Sikh males or females who have family ties applies to children. or are close to one another may embrace one another. Sikhs do not exchange a kiss When visiting a Sikh temple (Gurudwara) the • on the cheek. following protocols should be observed: • It is customary for elders to place the palm • shoes must be removed dress should of their hand on the head of the younger be modest generation which is symbolic of affection and • a head covering should be worn the transfer of love/blessings. Certain Sikhs may bow and touch the feet of • men and women sit separately • elders as a gesture of respect of the elder's • one should not sit with feet pointing position at home or in society. towards the Guru Granth Sahib or the Holy Book Dress and appearance • one should not sit with one’s back to Baptised Sikh males and females (known as the Holy Book mobile phones should be Amritdhari Sikh) may wear the following five switched off or in silent mode signs of their faith (known as the Five Ks): • silence is preferred in order not to disturb Kirpan a small-sized sword placed in a others; whisper only if necessary shoulder belt (accepted by the WA • clapping is forbidden. Police Service as a symbol rather than a weapon) Kara an iron bangle worn on the wrist Kachera special underwear, akin to It is Western Australian Government policy to boxer shorts provide competent interpreting and translating Kanga a small wooden comb services to clients who are unable to communicate effectively in spoken or written English.1 Kesh a Sikh must not cut hair from his/her body from birth to death Government agency staff can contact the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) on An Amritdhari Sikh must not be asked to telephone 131 450. separate any of the Five Ks from his/her body. The cutting of hair or abandoning the wearing of the turban should not even be suggested to a Sikh male as these form an important part of the Sikh faith. Each of the Five Ks has a special religious significance.