Image of Self in the Sikh Community: Continuity of the Core and Global Presence

Abstract

This article explores the social, psychological and historical processes through which the Sikh community has categorised and differentiated itselffrom other communities to form a distinct self. It traces the socio-historical circumstances that have shaped and helped consolidate the Sikh community's distinctive features including dress code, symbols, and a political ideology. The identity of this community has evolved through a series of struggles spanning a period of five centuries. This has contributed the qualities of adaptation and resilience to the Sikh psyche. The self-construal of the Sikh community is constituted by spiritual, heroic and aes thetic images. It has a core that shares certain religious, social and cultural attributes and maintains strong ties with its past while its adaptability helps accepting new challenges and seeking new opportunities and modes of expression. This unique blending of continuity and change has helped the indigenous and local Sikh community to have a global presence.

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