Kakars
As The Five Ks those five elements are referred to a devout Sikh always wear on his body needs. They are part of the Sikh costume and are also called the 5 K's, as each element in the original Punjabi name has a "k" as the first letter.
Historical background
Sikhism is based on the life and teachings of guru Nanak , who founded the Sikh community in the 15th century. He came from the north-west Indian region of Punjab and wanted to mediate between the two large religious communities Hinduism and Islam , which had been hostile to each other for centuries. To this end he developed Sikhism, which contains both Hindu and Islamic elements and sees itself as a peaceful community of believers. Under Guru Gobind Singh, Sikhism developed into a martial order after military tendencies had already emerged, but with the establishment of the Khalsa as a reaction to the tyrannical rule of the Mughals. This went hand in hand with the baptism ceremony introduced by Gobind Singh, the Kanda pahul , which heralded the individual's membership in the Sikh community, the Khalsa. In order to clearly distinguish himself from the Hindus and the Muslims, Guru Gobind Singh introduced a dress code that was valid for all believing Sikh and included the five kakars.
5 Ks
A believing Sikh should always wear these 5 elements on his body
- kesh : long uncut hair. A Sikh must never cut his head or whisker to show his appreciation and connection to natural law. This is an expression of the Sikhist ideal of the physical integrity of the body, which is based on the belief that God created the body in a perfect shape, which should be changed as little as possible.
- kangha : a comb that is supposed to keep the hair neat and together. It is also a symbol of the rejection of the ascetic life, against which Guru Nanak had always spoken out.
- kara : an iron bangle that is supposed to remind the wearer of his mortality and the connection with the cycle of life.
- kirpan : a saber that symbolizes the right to bear arms and reminds of the moral duty to protect life. Not only their own, but also that of those who cannot protect themselves.
- kacch or kachera : trousers ending above the knee that are intended to remind of the need for sexual control.
The Kakars as an expression of the Sikh identity
Before the emergence of the Khalsa in the 17th century, Sikh identity was shaped by the teachings of Guru Nanak and the Adi Granth . As the community developed more and more into a martial order, the identity of the Sikh also changed, becoming more and more a Khalsa identity. Above all, it is characterized by loyalty, community and common practice. External features of this identity are the special baptism ceremony and the five kakars. Above all, the wearing of the kirpan , the dagger, and the kaccha (or kachera ), the knee-length trousers, shows outwardly that the Sikh perceive themselves internally as a military order and want to show this to the outside world.
The Kakars today
The rule not to cut the hair is largely observed. Under the turban of a male Sikh there is usually hip-length hair and the beards are also imposing. The Orthodox Sikh are therefore often called keshdari , which means something like "someone who does not cut his hair". Dyeing hair is also forbidden as it contradicts the aforementioned ideal of physical integrity. Some of the dress codes have been adapted to the needs of everyday life over time. The kirpan , which was originally a real weapon, is now worn by most Sikhs only in miniature format, i.e. only as a symbol. The kachera , on the other hand, can easily be worn under normal pants. However, religious dignitaries still dress according to Guru Gobind Singh's prescriptions.
More recently, Sikh fundamentalists have warned against neglecting the commandment. In Panjab universities in particular, fundamentalists put pressure on young students regarding dress codes.
The leader of the Sikh party Akali Dal , Samranjit Singh, renounced his seat in parliament because he did not want to take off his oversized kirpan , which in turn contradicted the security regulations. Guru Gobind Singh's rules are still causing a stir today.
literature
- Grewal, JS: An Argument for Sikh Nationality. In the S. History, Literature, and Identity: Four Centuries of Sikh Tradition. Oxford: OUP, 2011, pp. 275-295.
- Mandair, Arvind-Pal Singh: Sikhism. A guide for the Perplexed, London, New Delhi, New York, 2013, p. 60.
- Stukenberg, Marla: The Sikhs. Religion, History, Politics, Munich, 1995, pp. 18–32.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ^ Stanley Wolpert: India . 4th edition. University of California Press, ISBN 978-0-520-26032-0 .