What does "SSA" stand for?
The abbreviation "SSA" stands for Sikh Students Association.
What do SSAs in High Schools do?
In some schools, there may be misconceptions of who Sikhs are or there may be a group of students who want to dig deeper into their roots and history. The SSA allows them to do just that. SSAs hold events such as TurbanUp/Dastaar Day and Langar Day to show the key values associated with the concept.
Is Sikh pronounced SEEk?
The correct pronunciation is “siKH”, and not “sEEk”.
What is a Turban/Dastaar?
The Dastaar is a crown. In its most practical sense, it protects the unshorn hair of a Sikh from any sort of maltreatment due to the elements and surroundings. It keeps the hair in a neat/clean manner. At the same time it creates an identity that poets say “ਲਖਾਂ ਵਿਚੋਂ ਪਿਛਾਨਿਆ ਜਾਏ ਏਕਲਾ, ਸਰਦਾਰੀ ਬੋਲਦੀ ਦਿਸੇ ਦਸਤਾਰ ਵਿਚੋਂ” which means Out of thousands and millions, the turban speaks and creates an incredible identity distinguishing the person from the crowd. During Guru Sahib’s time, the dastaar also had a price. During the time of Guru Hargobind Sahib Jee (sixth Guru of the SIkhs), the rulers had set out laws which states that no one else other than the royalty would have a turban. However, upon hearing this, Guru Sahib said to their Sikhs to not listen to the discriminatory laws and instead tie two turban/dastaars. In following years, the Dastaar/Turban would also easily identify Sikhs out of crowds during times of the genocides.
What is Seva?
Seva is selfless service, or performing a task/duty without expecting anything in return.
Who is a Sevadaar?
A sevadaar is one who does seva.
What is Kirtan?
Kirtan is when someone sings hymns which are usually inscribed in Sri Guru Granth Sahib Jee. Other sources which we do kirtan from include the Sri Dasam Granth as well as Bhai Nand Lal Jee and Bhai Gurdaas Jee’s Varaan (writings).
The Kirtanee (the one that does the kirtan) usually sings along with playing an instrument such as the Harmonium, the Dilruba, Taus, Sarandha, etc.
The Kirtanee (the one that does the kirtan) usually sings along with playing an instrument such as the Harmonium, the Dilruba, Taus, Sarandha, etc.
What is a Gurdwara?
Guru-Duwara literally translates to the Door of the Guru. In other words, the Gurdwara is a place of worship. The Gurdwara will always have Guru Granth Sahib Jee present and can also be a learning centre for Sikhs. A well run Gurdwara can instill the teachings of gurmat through activities for the community as well as classes such as Punjabi/Gurmukhi, Santheya (correct pronunciation of hymns) and Gatka (the sikh martial art).
What is the Fateh?
You may have seen Sikhs say "Vaheguru Jee Kaa Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh" when they see one another. It is a traditional greeting when one Sikh sees another Sikh.
It is : Vaheguru Jee Kaa Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh
The simple translation would be Khalsa is Gods and Fateh is also Gods
In Punjabi: ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ ||
It is : Vaheguru Jee Kaa Khalsa Vaheguru Jee Kee Fateh
The simple translation would be Khalsa is Gods and Fateh is also Gods
In Punjabi: ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕਾ ਖਾਲਸਾ ਵਾਹਿਗੁਰੂ ਜੀ ਕੀ ਫਤਿਹ ||
What is Daswandh?
Daswandh is 1/10th of a Sikhs earnings that goes towards helping the community. Sikhs often give the 10% to charities, sometimes, Sikhs use that 10% to do other things for the community, such as buy food for the food drive, buy clothes for the poor/homeless, langars or they give it to a person/family in need.
