Punjabi in United States

Introduction / History

The name "Punjabi" is used to describe both those who speak Punjabi, and those who inhabit the Punjab region in India and Pakistan. Punjabi is an Indo-European language that is divided into six main dialects. It is primarily spoken in the major regions of India and Pakistan. In general, Punjabis in Pakistan are Muslim and those in India are either Hindu or Sikh. The Sikhs are the ones you are most likely to find in North America. Sikhs are characterized by their neatly wound turbans, their good sense of humor, strong work ethic, and ability to rise above difficult circumstances.

Where Are they Located?

Unlike other South Asian Diaspora peoples, the Punjabi Sikhs are also rural. In India they are among the agricultural experts who helped make the Green Revolution happen in the 1970s. Many of them are involved with agricultural endeavors in California's Central Valley. There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Punjabis in the U. S. are usually urban. They work in professional jobs like most other South Asian peoples in the U. S. Others have excelled as mechanics, construction workers, and business professionals. Punjabis have found work in retail and trade, particularly through small family businesses. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs. For a special treat, go to a Sikh-owned restaurant in November when they celebrate Guru Nanak's birthday.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God. One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

What Are Their Needs?

The Punjabi people in the U. S. need to submit to Jesus Christ so they can experience the abundant life He offers them in John 10:10.

Prayer Points

Pray that the Punjabi Sikhs will have a spiritual hunger that will open their hearts to the King of kings. Pray for workers who are driving by the love and boldness of the Holy Spirit to go to them. Pray for a disciple making movement among them to begin this decade.

Text Source:   Joshua Project