The Punjabi Culture

Punjabi Culture, Elements of culture, Hofstede Dimensions, Punjabi Festivals , Punjabi Customs ,Culture's Use of Gender, Punjabi Values and Beliefs, Sikhism, Sikh Symbols

1. THE PUNJABI CULTURE Presented By: Nishkam Dhiman

2. Preview Introduction Language Religion Symbols Behavior/Norms of Behavior Values and Beliefs Customs and Traditions Sex and Sextual Orientation Elements of Punjabi Culture Masculinity Vs Femininity Individualism Vs Collectivism Power Distance Index Uncertainty avoidance Display of emotions Views of Time World mindedness or Ethnocentric High or low context Indulgence Review of Argument https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDn2bn7_YSM

3. Introduction: Punjab is a Northwest State in India. The word Punjab is a compound of the Persian words punj (five) and ab (waters). Thus Punjab roughly means "the land of five rivers".[a] Race : Indo - Aryan [Aryan are the people who came from Persia] Ethnicity : South Asian

4. Language: Punjabi Origin: Sanskrit [b] Script: Gurmukhi Developed around 1500 BC Punjabi Greeting: “ Sat Sri Akal ” meaning “ True is the name of God ” “ Namaste ” is the way most Indians greet which means “ I bow to the divine in you ” Different slangs : Chakk de phatte: “Come on , keep it up” Hor ki chalda? : “What's Up” Kiddan : “How have you been so far” Song demonstrating Punjabi Language : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmNT89Rz3GU&list=RDnzhKAEYRHww&index=7

5. Religion In Punjab majority of the people belong to Sikh Religion(57.69% followed by Hindu Religion(38.49%) . Christianity , Jainism and Buddhism . Since majority people are Sikh, the culture is mainly dominated by the sikh values , attitude, beliefs and behavior. Meaning of Sikh: Disciple or Student.[c] Sikhs wear the turban to take care of the hair, promote equality, and preserve the Sikh identity. Sikhs do not cut their hair, as a religious observance. The turban protects the hair and keeps it clean.

6. Symbols Turban(Headwear): Wearing turbans is common among Sikhs. The headgear also serves as a religious observance. Khanda : The Khanda is the symbol of the Sikh faith.[d] A double edged sword : Belief in one God. The Chakkar(ring) : God without beginning or end. Two crossed kirpans (swords): spiritual authority and political power. Kara : It is a round bracelet made of Iron . The Kara is a symbol of unbreakable attachment and commitment to God. It reminds the Sikhs to always do a good deed. Khanda Kara

7. Values and beliefs Unity in Diversity Kindness and Compassion. Faith Family Engaging in selfless service(Community Kitchen) Harmony Pride Adaptability Modesty Caste Honesty (work hard and live honestly) Liberation {Karma} Song demonstrating Values https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1pQSRQgrpk Caste: A caste system is one in which people are born into their social standing and will remain in it their whole lives. People are assigned occupations regardless of their talents, interests, or potential. [e] Karma: “Deed” or “Work/Action”[f] Karma is the law of cause and effect.

8. Community Kitchen(selfless service) Langar is the Community kitchen in Gurudwara (Sikh Temple) where the food is prepared and a free meal is served to all the visitors, without distinction of religion, caste, gender, economic status or ethnicity.

9. Norms of Behavior Punjabi's are expected to behave respectfully with everyone. “JI” is the most commonly used word to give respect. Giving gifts on festivals is a custom. Covering head with some cloth and removing the shoes while going to Temple(religious place). Showing affectionate emotions are prohibited . Removing shoes before entering someone's house. Punjabi’s/Indians wobble head to answer a question.

10. Costumes Females: Salwar, Kameez and Dupatta Males: Kurta, Pajama, Turban

11. Customs and Traditions Punjabis mostly live in joint families, and thus every occasion is enjoyed together like a huge celebration. Every member of the family has unique duties and responsibilities, which can be easily observed during births, festivals , marriages , funerals , as well as everyday social occasions.[e] Mariages : Punjabi weddings are very loud, energetic, full of music,colors, fancy-dresses, food and dancing. Marriages Last for 3 to 4 days. Arranged marriages are common. Lowest Divorce rate in the world i.e. 1%. Customs and Traditions Songs : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQpcUSzYFe0

12. Marriage traditions and customs Bride side Bridegroom Side Ring Ceremony Mehndi (Henna- tatoo) Vatna ( face mask) Barat (Wedding Procession) Churra

13. Festivals: Lohri: Marks the end of peak winter , this festival is traditionally associated with the harvest of the crops. It is celebrated on 13th January. Baisakhi: It marks the start of the Punjabi New Year, but it is also a day to celebrate 1699 - the year when Sikhism was born as a collective faith.[g] It is celebrated on 13 or 14 April.

14. Holi : Festival of Colors. People put colors on each other. Bonfire is done to represent victory of good over evil. Diwali: Festival of Lights. It is believed that on this day Rama returned to his people after 14 years of exile during which he fought and won a battle against the demons and the demon king, Ravana.

15. Funerals Before a Sikh funeral service, the body is bathed and dressed in clean clothing. Cremation is preferred for Sikh funerals.

16. Dance and Music Bhangra: Its is the traditional dance of Punjab. Highly energetic with vigorous kicks, leaps and bends of the body on the beats of drum or short songs. Performed to celebrate happy occasion. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z821Ez8ugY4

17. Cuisine Punjabi Cuisine generally have lentils curry, fried vegetables , cheese curry, chicken, rice, bread called naan and buttermilk. Butter Chicken Sarson Ka Saag Aur Makki Ki Roti. Tandoori Chicken Chole Bhature Masala Chana Dal Makhani Fish Amritsari. Dhaba Dal. Mango Lassi/ Buttermilk

18. Culture’s use of Gender The Indian movie songs called ‘ Item Number’ objectify women.The songs show highly sextualized dancer usually performing in a bar or pub surrounded by men. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sONw3dihCRs In Punjabi society, women continue to be in an even more vulnerable position today, caught between the two worlds, one, that places them in the illusion of gender equality, and the other, which objectifies them. However, masculinity continues to be the accepted norm in Punjabi society. Gender Discrimination: Study done by CNN shows that 239,000 girls under the age of five die in India each year due to neglect linked with gender discrimination.[i]

19. Sex and Sextual Orientation LGBT people face many social and legal difficulties and are looked down by the society. Kinner /Hijra(the third gender)[j] Individuals characterised as neither man nor woman. No sexual orientation towards males or females Live in well-defined and organised all-hijra communities, led by a guru. Street performers - singing, dancing, and performing blessings for donations. It is also traditional to have hijras perform at weddings and baby blessings Hijra's face extreme discrimination in health, housing, education, employment, immigration, law, and any bureaucracy that is unable to place them into male or female gender categories. In 2014, Supreme Court passed a law that officially recognized the existence of the third gender. This has allowed for Hijras to opt for third gender classification on official legal documents such as driver’s licenses and passports.

20. Elements of Culture. Masculinity Vs Femininity : Masculine 56 [k] Individualism Vs Collectivism : Collective Power Distance Index: High Power Distance 77 Uncertainty avoidance: Low 40 Display of emotions: Low Views of Time : Polychronic World Mindedness or Ethnocentric: World Minded High or low context: High Context Indulgence: Low Indulgence 26

21. Review of the Argument The people from different cultures show different communication styles. The effect of culture on the interpersonal communication can be seen in both verbal and non verbal communication of Punjabi’s. V erbal Communication: Indirect : The communication style of Indians tends to be polite and indirect. They may try to speak appeasingly to those they are not close to in order to avoid conflict or confrontation.[l] Refusals: Direct refusals, such as ‘no’, may be considered to be too harsh and open disagreement is likely to be interpreted as hostile or aggressive. ‘maybe’ or ‘I'll do my best’ as a way to express ‘no'. Extreme respect is given to elders and high authorities (personal and professional ) People are more open to new ideas, welcome change and free to question.

22. Non-Verbal: Personal Space : An arm's length would be a good distance to keep between you and the person to whom you are speaking. Whistling or Winking : Both these actions are considered inappropriate . Nodding: Indians will often nod to acknowledge what is said out of politeness. However, this does not always mean they understand or agree. Eye Contact: Most Punjabi's make direct eye contact during conversation. Head: The head is considered to be the holiest part of one's body. Touching someone on the top of the head is deemed to be insensitive and offensive. Physical Contact : It is not acceptable to touch someone during conversation unless you know the person well. Pointing a finger at someone would be considered rude.

23. References: [a] https://www.mapsofindia.com/maps/punjab/punjablocation.htm [b] https://patch.com/connecticut/trumbull/history-of-punjabi-language--gurmukhi-alphabet [c] https://www.sikhs.org/summary.htm [d] http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/religion/sikhism.html [e] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-35650616 [f] https://www.ananda.org/yogapedia/karma/ [g] https://theculturetrip.com/asia/india/articles/how-to-experience-punjabi-culture-in-india/ [h] https://www.indianmirror.com/culture/states-culture/punjab.html [ i] https://www.cnn.com/2018/05/15/asia/gender-discrimination-india-deaths-intl/index.html [j] https://www.speakingtree.in/allslides/the-scientific-causes-behind-the-birth-of-hijra-or-third-gender https://www.khalsaaid.org/ [k] https://www.hofstede-insights.com/country-comparison/india/ [l] https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/indian-culture/indian-culture-communication

24. Thank You