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Turban or Not, That is the Question for Sikhs


       In her article, “Haircuts of or Turbans?”; published in The New York Times on September 3, 2007,Amelia Gentleman describes why Sikhs cut their hair in an American style.  "Sikhism was founded at the end of the 15th century in northern India. It is based on a belief in one God and the rejection of the Hindu caste system, which divided Indian society into hereditary classes."

       Many young Sikhs are forgoing turbans and cutting their long hair-leaving spiritual leaders dismayed.  When he was 14, Jugraj Singh abandoned his turban and had a lifetime growth of hair cut off. Like many young Sikhs in India, Sigh found his turban too conspicuous emblem of the Sikh faith. There are many reasons why they cut their hair.  "For Jugraj it got in the way when he took judo classes.  And washing his long hair was time-consuming, as was the morning ritual of unwinding seven yards of cloth around his head." In the end, it is was a question of fashion says Singh. Now an 18 years-old business student he said he felt smarter without it.

       Turban promoters are hoping to reverse this trend by offering free turban-tying classes for boys in Amritsar.  This is one of a series of Sikh revival programs.  Sikh leaders have started holding pageants to promote the turban as fashion item.

       A recent campaign promoting the turban for Sikhs referred to the glory of wearing a turban to self identify as a Sikh. "Not according to Namrata Saluja, manager of the color Lounge salon in the central Amritsa, every week he turns a way young Sikh men who want their long hair cut off.

Huge turban
       Every country, every culture, and every people have nationalist feelings. As the time passes cultural norms always change. It seems that is very hard to keep tradition.  Youth almost always want to change existing culture and end some of the traditional norms.  I believe young people want to create their own culture that they have pride in. And change happens many ways. With Sikhs and their hair it is more about changing older traditions to become new to promote the new century as fashion item for the new century.

       The question is how can Sikh religious leaders change without going against their main beliefs. I read some news said about 100 years ago in American women were required to were hats in church.  Now they are not required.  So maybe Sikh leaders need to consider how important the turban is in their main beliefs.  Perhaps someone can design special hats - turbans with fake hair inside, that would be useful by men for their ceremonies or religious holidays.  And there are probably other ideas for incorporating the turban as an option versus required. I know I am really enjoy their culture, it is amazing to me. 


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