Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Is everyone allowed to have a farla?

i think only senior nihamgs and leaders of nihang groups have a farla. selected nihangs are chosen for the farla by the dal. its supposed to represent a nishan sahib on the dastars because beadbi occurs with normal flag nishan sahibs (dropping it etc.) the farla shows that the person is experienced and is good with shastars and knows lots of bani. apologies for my spellings. not the best typer with mobile touchscreens.
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Farlas were used traditionally to identify higher ranking "akali nihangs" over your standard nihangs. Farlas are earnt on merit after demonstarting valour in battle or doing so many years of seva in a Nihang Dal.

It's a honour and status that has to be earnt as per traditional Nihang maryada you cannot wear a Farla unless you have earned it and been presented with it.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

only nihangs belonging to a dal are allowed to wear farla dumala

My guess is that all the early Sikhs proudly had a farla in their dastars as it was the mark of a Sikh.

A little historical context is needed here. Prior to the formation of Islam it was Christians and Jews that wore turbans. Indeed, the turban was essential for Jews as the crowns upon their heads. Islam, however, proclaimed that only Muslims could wear a turban as it was mark of a Muslim. The Pact of Omar subsequently made it illegal for any Jew or Christian to wear a turban. This essential muslim headwear was notable for it's 'tail'. For Sunni Muslims, the dastar must have a tail hanging down. Shia Islam, which was quite influential among the Sikhs given the cultural affinity of people such as Bhai Mardana etc, did not wear a tail in their turbans. Sikhs, deliberately had a farla in their dastars as it was the complete opposite of what the sunni muslims wore. Instead of the essential tail hanging down the Sikhs had a flag proudly going up. The flag that flies proudly above their heads, so to speak.

This was a time when a Sikh was a Sikh was a Sikh was a Sikh. All Sikhs at the same level at the feet of their Guru. It was not, as it is today, a time when there were ten million different divisive orders each proclaiming to have their own traditions and cultures and historical reasons for having a farla.

The farla then, is the mark of a Sikh, in contrast to the muslim tail in the turban.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My guess is that all the early Sikhs proudly had a farla in their dastars as it was the mark of a Sikh.

A little historical context is needed here. Prior to the formation of Islam it was Christians and Jews that wore turbans. Indeed, the turban was essential for Jews as the crowns upon their heads. Islam, however, proclaimed that only Muslims could wear a turban as it was mark of a Muslim. The Pact of Omar subsequently made it illegal for any Jew or Christian to wear a turban. This essential muslim headwear was notable for it's 'tail'. For Sunni Muslims, the dastar must have a tail hanging down. Shia Islam, which was quite influential among the Sikhs given the cultural affinity of people such as Bhai Mardana etc, did not wear a tail in their turbans. Sikhs, deliberately had a farla in their dastars as it was the complete opposite of what the sunni muslims wore. Instead of the essential tail hanging down the Sikhs had a flag proudly going up. The flag that flies proudly above their heads, so to speak.

This was a time when a Sikh was a Sikh was a Sikh was a Sikh. All Sikhs at the same level at the feet of their Guru. It was not, as it is today, a time when there were ten million different divisive orders each proclaiming to have their own traditions and cultures and historical reasons for having a farla.

The farla then, is the mark of a Sikh, in contrast to the muslim tail in the turban.

In that case perhaps we should all wear farlas?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share


  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt
  • advertisement_alt


×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Terms of Use