Sikh Family Life

Soon after the baby's birth the parents go with the baby to the gurdwara or place of worship to take part in the weekly worship with other sikhs. Towards the end of the service the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) is opened and a random reading read from it. The first letter of that reading will be used as the first letter of the baby's name. The naming ceremony can be performed anywhere in the presence of the Guru Granth Sahib because anywhere that is considered sacred. That is the same with all Sikh ceremonies.

A Sikh child will start to learn the language of the Guru Granth Sahib at about the age of seven. The children are brought up to obey the rules of Sikhism:

Nam Simran:

• Think about God. ("Listening to the name gives truth, holy wisdom, contentment... by listening to the Name, sorrow and sin are destroyed." Guru Nanak)

Kirt Kaara:

• Live a normal life.
  
• Earn a living through honest means and hard work.

Wand Chhako:

• Share with the needy whatever you can spare. Treat all men and women as equals regardless of nationalities, religions or creed.

Sikh children have the support of extended families all living very closely. The weekend has meetings at the Gurdwara, weddings, birthdays, engagements are family occasions. Unlike many communities, girls are expected to achieve the same as boys. The sexes are equal.

Marriage is sacred, a bond between the man and the woman and an equally strong bond between the families. It is normal for Sikhs to have arranged marriages where the parents chose partners for their children based on mutual interests, similarities in life style and culture. Divorce is against the teaching of the guru.

The wedding ceremony is very simple. The Guru Granth Sahib is in front of the couple. The Granthi (the person who looks after the holy book in the Gurdwara) reads special wedding hymns and prayers. The couple walk slowly round the holy book and on the final lap friends and family throw rose petals over the couple.

Similar to the customs in Hinduism the bride wears red as a symbol of health and wealth and after the ceremony sweets called parshad are given out.