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Sikh Community

Sikhism is a religion that was born in the 15th century, practised mainly in the north of India, in the Punjab. The Sikhs dispensed the figure of the guru, believing that God and his laws lie within the people themselves. For their last name, men use 'Singh', which means 'lion', and women use 'Kaur', which means 'princess'. They believe in equality between all human beings. Within the Sikh religion, caste and social differences dictated by one's profession don't exist. Inside the turban, which contains hair that has never been cut, is a small comb. It is used to comb a man's hair every evening at dusk, and when he sees the hair that falls on his hand, it prompts him to think about what he should throw away or free himself from that day. Sikhs also wear a silver bracelet, which symbolises mindfulness of how they use their hands. Throughout our project, we interacted with many Sikh men and some women. We met families and children and visited their homes. Twice in our performances, we had the opportunity to count on the presence of Sikh men demonstrating the ritual of donning the turban, each around 7 meters long. It is an ancestral act to don the turban first thing in the morning before going out. It symbolises taking your religion with you, being a public bearer of a way of being. We added to these rituals music, singing, mirrors and focus. They are full of folds and wrinkles rigorously separated by a pin. Hundreds of people took off their shoes, put on headscarves and entered the church of Misericórdia in silence as if it were the Golden Temple of Amritsar.

Sikh Community
Sikh Community
Sikh Community
Sikh Community
Sikh Community
Sikh Community
Sikh Community
Sikh Community

Photography by: João Mariano - 1000 Olhos