History and Experience of the Sikh Diaspora in the United States
History and Experience of the Sikh Diaspora in the United States
Sikh migrants began arriving in the United States more than one hundred years ago, and now have reached numbers close to half a million. Like most other immigrant communities in the United States, Sikhs have faced problems that are both specific to their community and that are also shared by other ethnic communities making their way in a new land. Despite their recent numbers and century long history in the United States, many of their fellow Americans know relatively little about Sikhs, their history, and their faith. They are often confused by others in the United States as being Muslim, as their religious beliefs require Sikh men to wear a turban. Others confuse them as being polytheistic Hindus, as a result of their Indian heritage and sometimes heavy Indian accents.
An understanding of Sikh history and beliefs is necessary to develop an understanding about the experience and history of the Sikh diaspora in the United States. Sikhism is the worlds youngest and fifth most popular religion. It is a monotheistic faith centered on divine unity and uniqueness. Sikhs believe in human, gender, and social equality and that human life is the pinnacle of God's creation. Followers of Sikhism number over 23 million worldwide with 17 million of those living in the Punjab, a state in northwestern India and the birthplace and homeland of Sikhism. The Punjab is a very fertile land with tropical weather and many rivers. It lies at the intersection of major ancient trade routes, which brought different cultures, ideas, and trade goods to the area.[1]
The Sikh religion was founded in the Punjab by Guru Nanek (1469-1539) in the 1520's. As a child, Nanek surprised his teachers and religious leaders by his quick learning and spiritual approach to life. This period of Indian history was one of political and religious corruption and treachery. The ruling Mughal Muslims treated the Hindus with
Sikh migrants began arriving in the United States more than one hundred years ago, and now have reached numbers close to half a million. Like most other immigrant communities in the United States, Sikhs have faced problems that are both specific to their community and that are also shared by other ethnic communities making their way in a new land. Despite their recent numbers and century long history in the United States, many of their fellow Americans know relatively little about Sikhs, their history, and their faith. They are often confused by others in the United States as being Muslim, as their religious beliefs require Sikh men to wear a turban. Others confuse them as being polytheistic Hindus, as a result of their Indian heritage and sometimes heavy Indian accents.
An understanding of Sikh history and beliefs is necessary to develop an understanding about the experience and history of the Sikh diaspora in the United States. Sikhism is the worlds youngest and fifth most popular religion. It is a monotheistic faith centered on divine unity and uniqueness. Sikhs believe in human, gender, and social equality and that human life is the pinnacle of God's creation. Followers of Sikhism number over 23 million worldwide with 17 million of those living in the Punjab, a state in northwestern India and the birthplace and homeland of Sikhism. The Punjab is a very fertile land with tropical weather and many rivers. It lies at the intersection of major ancient trade routes, which brought different cultures, ideas, and trade goods to the area.[1]
The Sikh religion was founded in the Punjab by Guru Nanek (1469-1539) in the 1520's. As a child, Nanek surprised his teachers and religious leaders by his quick learning and spiritual approach to life. This period of Indian history was one of political and religious corruption and treachery. The ruling Mughal Muslims treated the Hindus with
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