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How Do Indian Sikhs Feel About White Americans Wearing The Turban?


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WGJKK WGJKF

Hello,

I am coming here for honest opinions. I feel the members of my gurdwara would feel uncomfortable speaking openly about this subject, and I don't wish to make them uncomfortable as I haven't been studying long.

I am a 25 year old white American who is very interested in Sikhi. I have only recently begun my path of discovery, and would want to spend an absolute minimum of one year (probably longer) meditating, reading gurbani, doing seva, and properly understanding Sikh philosophy before concerning myself with the five K's. However, I do feel I will eventually get to the point of sufficient devotion to feel comfortable identifying myself as Sikh, and would begin to explore wearing the turban. I will reevaluate at that time, and discuss the issue earnestly with members of the gurdwara, but I would like to hear anonymous opinions about this now.

I just can't help but feel it might be seen as silly, rude, or offensive for a white person to wear a turban. I know at the end of the day, my relationship with the guru is what is most important, but the communities opinion is something to consider. I also want to simply be prepared for the reactions I might receive.

How do you view a white person wearing a turban (regardless of how sihki says you should feel)? How do you think the Indian community at large views this matter?

Finally, what are your opinions on keeping kesh, but not wearing a turban? I feel this may be an appropriate intermediate point, but I don't wish to offend. I know the head should be covered, but anything other than the turban looks too sloppy for an adult at work to wear. Kesh tied in a joora also looks sloppy, yes, but I feel a sloppy head covering conveys a worse image than uncovered kesh. This is only my opinion, however, and I admit I could easily be wrong.

Thank you for your time and opinions. Feel free to speak openly, any negative feelings are completely understandable to me.

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Guest Kaurji

If we was to discriminate we are not worthy of allowing us to call ourselves Sikhs. Guruji forbids us to discriminate but take a good look at our own actions. Brother good luck and remember regardless, people in general sadly always take weather you do good in life or bad. In the end we all be accountable for our actions .

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  • 2 years later...

Brother , 
you are a sikh , you have started following the path and so you want to follow it fully and signify ... you are most welcome to tie a dastar and look like your spiritual father no one will think badly of you, as we all are living and learning . Welcome .

p.s. you can practice tying at home , it's mostly muscle memory once you've tied thirty times you should be fairly adept . You can look on YT for videos of how to tie dumalla or turbans for tips and visuals

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On 20/05/2014 at 0:10 PM, Guest Guest said:

WGJKK WGJKF

Hello,

I am coming here for honest opinions. I feel the members of my gurdwara would feel uncomfortable speaking openly about this subject, and I don't wish to make them uncomfortable as I haven't been studying long.

I am a 25 year old white American who is very interested in Sikhi. I have only recently begun my path of discovery, and would want to spend an absolute minimum of one year (probably longer) meditating, reading gurbani, doing seva, and properly understanding Sikh philosophy before concerning myself with the five K's. However, I do feel I will eventually get to the point of sufficient devotion to feel comfortable identifying myself as Sikh, and would begin to explore wearing the turban. I will reevaluate at that time, and discuss the issue earnestly with members of the gurdwara, but I would like to hear anonymous opinions about this now.

I just can't help but feel it might be seen as silly, rude, or offensive for a white person to wear a turban. I know at the end of the day, my relationship with the guru is what is most important, but the communities opinion is something to consider. I also want to simply be prepared for the reactions I might receive.

How do you view a white person wearing a turban (regardless of how sihki says you should feel)? How do you think the Indian community at large views this matter?

Finally, what are your opinions on keeping kesh, but not wearing a turban? I feel this may be an appropriate intermediate point, but I don't wish to offend. I know the head should be covered, but anything other than the turban looks too sloppy for an adult at work to wear. Kesh tied in a joora also looks sloppy, yes, but I feel a sloppy head covering conveys a worse image than uncovered kesh. This is only my opinion, however, and I admit I could easily be wrong.

Thank you for your time and opinions. Feel free to speak openly, any negative feelings are completely understandable to me.

Sikhs are very open minded people. I have no problems.

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  • 1 month later...
Guest TheTruthMayHurt

I know white people are ashamed of their identity and have no culture but why are they arrogant and self-entitled to think they know and understand why it is worn? It is a religious symbol, not a cool fashion accessory. I think it looks quite odd on them too.

The Indian community would laugh at you as they, also, think it looks rather weird on non-Punjabis and they would think you are trying to infiltrate the faith in the same way your ancestors invaded us although you would be under disguise.

Also, a joora does not look sloppy. It is what young Sikhs wear. Clearly, you do not know this so may I suggest you conduct more research before thinking you know it all. Cheers.

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  • 2 weeks later...
Guest YourServant
On 16/12/2016 at 11:57 PM, Guest TheTruthMayHurt said:

I know white people are ashamed of their identity and have no culture but why are they arrogant and self-entitled to think they know and understand why it is worn? It is a religious symbol, not a cool fashion accessory. I think it looks quite odd on them too.

The Indian community would laugh at you as they, also, think it looks rather weird on non-Punjabis and they would think you are trying to infiltrate the faith in the same way your ancestors invaded us although you would be under disguise.

Also, a joora does not look sloppy. It is what young Sikhs wear. Clearly, you do not know this so may I suggest you conduct more research before thinking you know it all. Cheers.

VaheGuruJiKaKhalsa VaheguruJiKiFateh 

theTruthMayHurt - utter nonsense!

To the OP - Learn, Grow & walk the path of our beloved fathers.  Always consult Guru Sahib first, do ardas, take hukamnamas, read intias, otherwise posts like the above one which is contrary to the vast majority of Sikh thinking will confuse and dishearten you - ie what he/they are trying to do.

there are a plethora of resources on the web these days incl. videos created by Basics of Sikhi & Sikh2Inspire on YouTube, which will help you gain an understanding from a Guru-Centric standpoint.

good luck and Gurus Kirpa

 

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