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Flip to reveal answersDistinguish a mela from a gurpurb.
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All 11 Flashcards — Festivals, gender and society
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Question
Distinguish a mela from a gurpurb.
Answer
A mela is a fair or gathering — Vaisakhi is the chief one. A gurpurb commemorates a Guru's birth, death or martyrdom.
Question
What does Vaisakhi mark?
Answer
New Year's Eve, and the anniversary of the Khalsa being realized on Earth — celebrated with special services and a nagar kirtan, a procession of the Guru Granth Sahib.
Question
Why do Sikhs keep Divali?
Answer
For the release from captivity of Guru Hargobind. Hindus and Jains keep the same days for their own reasons.
Question
Which martyrdoms does the guide name?
Answer
Those of Guru Arjan and Guru Tegh Bahadur. Guru Tegh Bahadur is remembered as having died defending the religious freedom of Hindus.
Question
Name the five Ks.
Answer
Kesh (uncut hair), kangha (a comb), kara (a steel bracelet), kachhera (a cotton undergarment), kirpan (a sword).
Question
What does the kirpan symbolise, and what does the word mean?
Answer
A Sikh's duty to protect the weak and vulnerable. From kirpa, meaning grace, and ana, meaning honour.
Question
What does the Guru Granth Sahib teach about equality?
Answer
The equality of birth and gender — and consequently the Rahit Maryada states that all roles in the gurdwara may be practised by anyone, including granthi and kirtan. Sikh first names are gender-free.
Question
What caveat does the guide add about Sikh equality?
Answer
"The degree to which this is manifest in practice", and elsewhere that caste and gender issues do arise.
Question
What is langar, and why was it radical?
Answer
The free communal meal open to anyone at all, eaten seated together. In the setting where the Gurus taught, sitting together made caste distinction at the meal impossible rather than merely discouraged.
Question
What is sewa?
Answer
Altruistic service to God and humanity, regardless of birth or gender — performed by everyone including the wealthy, which is what stops it being charity done to people.
Question
Distinguish sangat from panth.
Answer
Sangat is the Sikh community at a local gurdwara; panth is the worldwide Sikh community.
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Full study notes for Festivals, gender and society
Topic 4.1 hub
Rituals
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