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Vaisakhi (Baisakhi)

The Sikh Harvest Celebration

http://www.infoplease.com/atlas/country/india.html

 

Abstract

 

Vaisakhi is a harvest celebration and is celebrated annually around April 15 th . By allowing other religious to participate in the most important holiday on the Sikh calendar, this reflects the accepting nature of the Sikh religious and its followers. Vaisakhi has colorful parades, Bhangra music, and plenty of symbols unique to the culture. Vaisakhi is like any national religious holiday, in that it helps give outsiders an insight into the values of the cultural, and the religious ideals it upholds.

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This picture is from the Vaisakhi celebrations in Gravesend ( England ) 1995. http://www.novapeer.co.uk/sikh/Vaisakhi.html

This image is taken from a procession.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/faith/sikh_festival_04/gallery.shtml

Introduction

 

The Indian holiday of Vaisakhi (also called, Baisakhi) is the most sacred holiday in the Sikh religion. It celebrates the start of the harvest season and the creation of the Sikh brotherhood. The traditions of this celebration have remained almost untouched through time. Sikhism “recognizes the existence of the same heavenly light in every human being, rich or poor, high or low irrespective of caste, creed, color, race, sex, religion, or nationality.” ( Sikh Religion, 1990) Vaisakhi helps Sikhs act out what they believe; it displays the Sikhs' ideals by allowing members of other religions join in the celebration. Outsiders are happy to be a part of this celebration because of the enjoyable atmosphere associated with Sikh celebrations.

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Context of India

 

India is a peninsula located on the continent of Asia . It is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea . The North has a more temperate climate while the South has a tropical monsoon climate. ( CIA World factbook 2004) The first people to live settle in India were the people of the Indus River Valley Civilization, but they underwent a decline around 800BC. The next people to settle were the Aryans, who were extremely important in the roots of Hinduism. Following the Aryan civilization, India 's history has been subject to many invasions and control changes. It was under the influence of the Greeks, Mongols, and the British, to name a few. ( http://india.punjabilit.com/history.htm ) India finally became an independent country in 1947, when they won their independence from Britain . India is divided into 26 states. The main state that this paper will focus on will be the Punjab region. The Punjab region is a small area, 50,000 square km, in northern India on the border of India and Pakistan . Today the Punjab is the most affluent state in India . It has a population of a little over 20,000. ( http://mapsofindia.com/stateprofiles/punjab/index.html ) This region is where the Sikh religion was founded, and where the majority of Sikhs live today. The origin of the Sikh religion is still debated by its followers. Some believe that it was derived from pre-existing Islam and Hindu ideas, while others believe that it was given directly by God. ( http://www.religioustolerance.org/sikhism.htm ) It was founded by Guru Nanak, by mixing Buddhist and Hindu religions. The result was a new religion that rejected idol worship and the caste system. ( http://www.religioustolerance.org/sikhism.htm )

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Origins of Vaisakhi

 

Vaisakhi has been celebrated annually for about 280 years. Where the name Vaisakhi came from is unclear, but the celebration has held that name since it was begun. Vaisakhi is usually held around April 13 th , but the exact date depends on the lunar calendar. (Dogra and Mansukhani,1995)

 

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Performance

The official date of the New Year is April 13 th and 14 th , but it can be celebrated any time of the before and after the actual date. (- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1915730.stm ) During the three hour celebration, there is a procession through the streets with the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib , being carried in the front.( http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikism/holydays/vaisakhi/index.shtml ) The men and women engage in song and dance to help make the coming harvest season plentiful. The celebration includes many elements. There are huge parties at people's houses, and many times a whole day will be spent traveling to different houses for different get-to-together. The parties are spent eating and dancing. “The popular dishes preapred are typical Punjabi foods. Some examples of typical food are rajma (kidney beans), chana (chick peas), palak paneer (mustard and cheese), naan (bread), and bartha (eggplant),” says Dr. Padda. Sikhs dance to bhangra music. This type of music was usually just used for Vaisakhi celebrations. Now it is commonly played all over India , all year. The dances portray scenes of sowing, harvesting, and gathering of crops. At every party there is a clown who dances in a competition with a lady. The lady is actually a man dressed in women's clothes. (Dogra and Mansukhani,1995) Processions through the streets are popular in areas of a large Sikh community, like in England . The Sikh symbol, the Khanda, is always displayed.(see below)

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Artifact

This is the sikh symbol, the Khanda,used in the procession through the streets. It integrates 5 sikh weapons: the Khanda, a double edged sword, the Kirpans, two curved swords, and the Chakker, a ring.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/berkshire/faith/sikh_festival_04/gallery.shtml

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Interpretation

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Prognosis for Vaisakhi

This celebration seems to be increasing in popularity. Vaisakhi's colorful celebrations, along with the catchy Bhangra music, are capturing a lot of people's attention. For the Sikh celebrations in 2004, Vancouver has reported a continued increase in attendance in its festivals. (http://www.city.vancouver.bc.ca/ctyclerk/cclerk/20041104/csb2.htm)

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Conclusion

 

Vaisakhi is an important celebration to the Sikh followers. Like any other celebration, Vaisakhi brings Sikhs together for a day of celebration. It displays the values of the culture and introduces outsiders to the Sikh way of life. The lavish decorations show the Sikhs love for rich and bright culture. The Sikhs act out what they believe about the tolerance for other religions. This celebration invites all religions to join in the celebration for the harvest season; a true act of tolerance.

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Internet References Cited

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Peer-Reviewed References Cited

  • Dogra, Ramesh Chander & Mansukhani, Dr. Gobind Sing
    Encyclopedia of Sikh Religion and Culture, Publishing House Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi , 1995

    Sikh Missionary Center; Sikh Religions, Detroit, 1990

    Turner, Victor, Celebration: Studies in Festivity and Ritual , Smithsonian In. Press. , Wash. DC, 1982

    Padda, Dr. Roshinder. Personal interview. 17 October 2004

    “ Baisakhi - The Jewel in India 's Diadem of Festivals” http://www.indiaprofile.com/fairs-festivals/baisakhi.htm accessed 09/19/04

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