PUNJABI: CULTURE & LANGUAGE

Demography and Geography of Punjabi Language “Punjab” is a combination of two Persian words, “Punj” meaning five and “ab” (Pronounced Aab) meaning water. Therefore, the word Punjab means five waters, and is thought of as “the land of five rivers”. Punjabis have been known to have inhabited the Indus Valley as far back as 2500 BC. This region covers parts of Pakistan and India, and the Punjabi language is spoken in both countries. Historically, the Punjab region has been the gateway to the Indian subcontinent for invaders who came from Greece, Central Asia, Iran and Afghanistan. Due to its strategic location, it has been part of various empires and dynasties throughout history, including the Indus Valley Civilization, Aryans, Kushans, Scythians, Greeks, Persians, Arabs, Turks, Ghaznavids, Timurids, Mughals, Afghans, Sikhs and the British. INDIA: According to the 2011 Census of India, there are 27,704,236 Punjabi speakers in India. Punjabi speakers are mainly found in the states of Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Delhi and Uttarpradesh. Punjabi is the preferred language of the Sikh people and it is also the language of their religion. The Indian state of Punjab is 60% Sikh and 37% Hindu. There is a small Muslim population still living there, especially in Malerkotla. The literacy rate in Punjab is 75%, with male literacy at 80.23% and female literacy at 68.36%. Since Punjab is an agricultural state, a large part of the population lives in the rural areas. Approximately 66% of people live in rural areas while the rest 34% is urban resident. The state has a skewed sex ratio and according to the 2001 census, there were 876 females per 1000 males in Punjab. Worldwide distribution of the language GLOBALLY: About 120 million people who speak Punjabi IN US: 640,000 people who speak Punjabi Linguistic Community/Social Aspects RELIGION: Punjabi speakers in India are primarily Sikh and Hindu with a small Muslim and Christian population. In Pakistan, Punjabis are primarily Muslim with a small percentage made up by other religions. The three major religions are outlined below, but then the focus shifts to the Sikh religion, as Punjabi is the language of the Sikhs. Sikhism The Sikh religion originated in the Punjab region. There are over 20 million Sikhs worldwide. The Sikh religion hails from the Punjab region, but is not confined to the region as many Westerners in America and Europe have adopted the Sikh religion. In Sikhism, there is only one God who cannot take human form. The goal of life is to reach God. People can reach God by meditating, following the Guru's teachings, and doing community service and charitable work. Sikhs reject ritualism such as religious vegetarianism and yoga, and only perform meditation to the Guru, not idols or things. In addition, there is no discrimination based on caste, race, or sex in Sikhism. Sikhs must share with others, and earn their living with hard work rather than begging. In Sikhism, one must live a truthful life. Islam Many Punjabis are Muslim, especially the Punjabis from Pakistani Punjab. Islam is an Arabic word which means peace, purity, acceptance and commitment. As a religion, Islam calls for complete acceptance of and submission to the teachings and guidance of God. A Muslim is one who freely and willingly accepts the supreme power of God and strives to organize his life in total accord with the teachings of God. He also works for building social institutions which reflect the guidance of God. All Muslims profess acceptance of God as the One and Only God and Mohammad as the last and final messenger of God. Muslims believe that angels are spiritual beings who carry out the will of God. Muslims also have an understanding of destiny as an essential belief. In Islam, there are five pillars considered obligatory for all Muslims. The five pillars of faith and practice are: (1) The Shahada (Witness), (2) The Salat (Prayer), (3) The Zakat (Alms), (4) The Sawm (Fasting), (5) The Hajj (Pilgrimage). Hinduism Many of the important Hindu scriptures originated from the Punjab region. Hinduism, dating from around 1500 BC, is the oldest living religion with over half a billion followers. Hinduism, which comes in many forms of a religion, is also a way of life. The Vedas are the sacred scriptures of Hinduism. The four basic Vedic books are the Rig-Veda, the Yajur-Veda, the Sama-Veda, and the Atharva-Veda. Each of the Vedic books is divided into four parts. Each contains a section of hymns to the gods (Mantras), a section of ritual materials (Brahmanas), a section of guidance for hermits (Aranyakas), and a fourth section of philosophical treatises (Upanishads). The Mantra and Brahmana sections are the oldest materials with the Aranyakas and Upanishads added later. The fourteen principal Upanishads form the basis of Hindu philosophy. They assume there is one reality, the impersonal god-being called Brahman. All things and beings are an expression of Brahman. Everything in the world and experience which is not Brahman is illusion (maya). All phenomenal existence (pleasure, worldly success, wealth) is illusion arising from ignorance of the true nature of reality. Those who continue in this Page 9 of 34 ignorance are bound to life by the law of karma which keeps them endlessly in the cycle of birth, life, death, and rebirth. Many aspects of Hindu has been adopted by other famous figures and religions around the world. Hinduism is still practiced by many people. A little more about Sikhism Monotheistic religion founded in 15th century Punjab, India Founded on the teachings of Guru Nanak Dev Ji and ten successive Sikh Gurus (the last teaching being the sacred text Guru Granth Sahib Ji) Fifth largest organized religion in the world and one of the fastest-growing Punjab, India is the only region in world with a majority Sikh population Principal beliefs of Sikhism are faith and justice Advocates the pursuit of salvation through disciplined, personal meditation on the name and message of God. The Panj Kakars („Five K‟s‟) are five articles of clothing that a Sikh is supposed to have on his person at all times. The Panj Kakars were prescribed by Guru Gobind Singh. The Five K's are supposed to keep the Sikhs united in the pursuit of the aims and ideals of the Guru. They enable them to keep their vows made at the time of Amrit initiation. The Sikhs are known to be ready to face torture and death rather than cut their hair or remove any of the sacred symbols. o 1. Kesh – Keeping one‟s hair in its natural, unspoiled state (i.e., not shaving or cutting hair) as removing hair is seen as acting in disharmony with God‟s Will. 2. Kangha – The comb is necessary to keep the hair clean and tidy. A Sikh must comb his hair twice a day and cover it with a turban, tying it daily. The turban acts as protection of the hair, and promoter of social identity and cohesion. It has thus become an essential part of the Sikh dress. 3. Kada - The iron bracelet symbolizes restraint from unharmonious deeds. It is worn on the right wrist and reminds the Sikh of the vows taken by him, that is, he is a servant of the Guru and should not do anything which may bring shame or disgrace. When he looks at the Kara, he is made to think twice before doing anything wrong. Kada also acts as protection for the arm as also a handy weapon. 4. Kachhehra - The soldier's shorts must be worn at all times. It reminds the Sikh of the need for self-restraint over physical passions and desires. Apart from its moral significance, it ensures briskness during action and freedom of movement at all times. 5. Kirpan - The sword is the emblem of courage and a weapon of self-defense. It symbolizes dignity and self-reliance, the capacity and readiness to always defend the weak and the oppressed. MUSIC/DANCE: Bhengra Music – This is the type of music played for Bhengra dance. It is played using traditional instruments. One of those instruments is a two-sided drum called a Dohl. Bhengra music is now gaining popularity. This link shows Bhengra music being played by musicians using traditional instruments. Bhangra Dance – A type of folk dance said to originate from farmers dancing in their fields. This link shows a group of Punjabi men participating in a traditional Bhangra dance. Giddha – A form of dance performed by women. This dance is often characterized by the women standing around in a circle and clapping while small groups (2-3 women) go forward and dance together. At times, the women will use Giddha to impersonate people or situations to tell a story or vent their frustration with something happening in their lives. Information retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giddha This link shows a group of Punjabi women participating in a Giddha dance in a competition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2TXZoSi53M&feature=related