Regions with significant populations | |
---|---|
Chile | 500 or fewer |
Argentina | 300 |
Brazil | 300 |
Peru | 8 [note 1] |
Ecuador | 6 [note 2] |
Bolivia | 1 [note 3] |
Languages | |
Punjabi • Spanish • Portuguese • Hindi • Urdu • other languages |
Sikhism is a minority religion in South America , which is estimated to be less than 0.1% of the total continent's population.
While the Sikh community in Argentina has been established since the early 20th century, its growth in South America has been relatively modest compared to the broader Sikh diaspora in Europe, North America, Asia and Oceania. Current estimates suggest a population of around 300 Sikhs in Argentina, 500 in Chile and 300 in Brazil, indicating a stable but small presence in the continent.
Sikhs in Argentina, numbering around 300, primarily settled in the early 20th century, migrating away from anti-Asian immigration policies in North America. Whilst travelling on British Colonial passports, [1] they initially arrived to work on railways and sugar mills, they faced significant racism, prompting restrictions on their immigration. [2]
In the 1930s, members of the Ghadar Movement visited to support their struggle for Indian independence. By the late 20th century, notable figures emerged, such as Simmarpal Singh, a prominent businessman. [3] The community now owns various businesses and has established one Gurdwara in Rosario. In 2018, the Sikh faith was officially recognized in Argentina. [4]
In the 1980s, a group of Sikhs migrated to Bolivia, particularly to the Santa Cruz de la Sierra area, seeking better opportunities in agriculture. Initially successful due to their strong work ethic, irrigation skills, and access to credit, they cultivated crops like sugarcane. [5]
However, when crop yields declined and internal disputes arose, many faced financial difficulties, leading to defaults on loans, some even being jailed, and others returning to Punjab. Over time, the community dwindled, with only a few Sikhs remaining, struggling to make a living through small businesses or farming. By the early 2000s, their numbers and financial stability had declined so much that they could no longer maintain a Gurdwara, though they still occasionally gather when visitors arrive. [6]
Sikhs in Brazil, numbering around 300, [7] began arriving in the early 20th century, primarily settling in the southern state of Paraná while often en route to Argentina. Also during this period, members of the Ghadar Movement also located to Brazil for a short period including Sardar Ajit Singh. [8]
In 2018 delegation that visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar to advocate for gender equality within Sikh practices. Most Brazilian Sikhs belong to the 3HO community or are descendants of Punjabi migrants, many of whom have married outside their culture due to the small Sikh population. [9] The community has established several gurdwaras, with the Shri Arjun Dev Sahib Gurdwara in Curitiba being the largest and most prominent. [10]
Sikhs in Chile, estimated to number fewer than 500, form a small religious minority. Their arrival began in the early 1900s as they sought work on railway projects connecting to Bolivia, often moving on to Argentina due to anti-Asian immigration policies in North America. In the late 20th century, Yogi Bhajan introduced Sikhism more widely through Kundalini yoga, gaining popularity in the 1960s. [5]
In 2016, Sikhism was officially recognized as a religion in Chile, the first such acknowledgment in South America, allowing Sikhs to wear the Kirpan and pursue religious projects. Currently, there are two gurdwaras in Chile, one in Iquique, which shares space with a Hindu temple, and the Gurdwara Guru Ram Das Ashram in Viña del Mar, where the Nishaan Sahib was first raised in 2019. Local organizations like Sikh Dharma Chile and Langar Chile further support the community. [11]
There is a small Sikh presence in Colombia, mainly from converts. Most of the followers are part of the 3HO community. [12]
In the mid-1980s, there were reports of interactions between some members of the Ecuadorian government and Sikh separatists advocating for Khalistan, a proposed Sikh homeland. Carlos Arosemena, the former President of Ecuador and leader of the Partido Nacionalista Revolucionario with Sikh separatist leader Jagjit Singh Chohan in London in August 1985. During this meeting, Arosemena reportedly suggested that Ecuador could serve as a suitable location for a Sikh nation. [13] [14]
Atma Singh Khalsa, a Sikh convert and believed to be the first Sikh resident in Ecuador, was part of Arosemena's entourage during this period. Additional delegates, including Dr. Cristobal Montero and Patricio Buendia, [15] also expressed support for the Sikh cause.
However, the Ecuadorian government later distanced itself from these statements, clarifying that it had no official contact with or recognition of any Sikh separatist movements. The Minister of External Affairs commented on the situation, noting reports that Chohan had received an invitation to visit Ecuador. In December 1985, Chohan claimed that a significant number of Sikhs had migrated to Ecuador within a few months. [16]
It is estimated that there are fewer than 10 Sikhs in Peru, with Partap Singh being the only head of a Gursikh family in the country. Originally moving to Peru as a tourism specialist, he married a local woman settled in Peru . Singh was honoured as the flag bearer during Peru's Independence Day celebrations. Notably, there is no Sikh Gurdwara in Peru. [17]
There are no Sikhs residing in the Falkland Islands. However, Sikhs in the British Army often visit as part of military training. Lance Corporal Manpreet Singh Lally, a communication system engineer with the Royal Signals, was posted to the British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) and showcased the tying and wearing of the traditional headdress to children at Mount Pleasant School. [18]
The Khalistan movement is an independence movement seeking to create a separate homeland for Sikhs by establishing an ethno‐religious sovereign state called Khalistan in the Punjab region of India. The proposed boundaries of Khalistan vary between different groups; some suggest the entirety of the Sikh-majority Indian state of Punjab, while larger claims include Pakistani Punjab and other parts of North India such as Chandigarh, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh. Shimla and Lahore have been proposed as the capital of Khalistan.
3HO , also known as Sikh Dharma of the Western Hemisphere or Sikh Dharma International, is a controversial American organization founded in 1969 by Harbhajan Singh Khalsa, also called "Yogi Bhajan". Its adherents are popularly referred to as the Sikh Dharma Brotherhood. While referred to as the 3HO movement, "3HO" is strictly speaking the name only of the movement's educational branch. Scholars have defined 3HO as a new religious movement.
Yogi Bhajan, also known as Siri Singh Sahib to his followers, was an American entrepreneur, yoga guru, and spiritual teacher. He introduced his version of Kundalini yoga to the United States. He was the spiritual director of the 3HO foundation, with over 300 centers in 35 countries. He was accused of sexual abuse by several dozen of his female followers; an investigation called the Olive Branch Report found the allegations most likely true.
Tara Singh was a Sikh political and religious figure in India in the first half of the 20th century. He was instrumental in organising the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabhandak Committee and guiding the Sikhs during the partition of India, which he strongly opposed.
Jagjit Singh Chohan was a major Sikh leader of the Khalistan movement that sought to create a sovereign Sikh state in the Punjab region of the Indian subcontinent. Chohan established the Council of Khalistan at Anandpur Sahib on 12 April 1980 and became its first self‐styled president.
Jathedar Sukhdev Singh Babbar was the militant and co-leader of Babbar Khalsa (BK), a Sikh militant organisation involved in the pursuit of creating a Sikh nation named as "Khalistan" and generally believed responsible for the 1985 bombing of Air India Flight 182, although Sukhdev was never named as being involved. BK was founded by Talwinder Singh Parmar, himself, and Amarjit Kaur. He commanded BK continuously for 14 years until he was killed in 1992. He was a member of the AKJ.
Snatam Kaur Khalsa, is an American singer, songwriter and author. Kaur performs new age Indian devotional music, kirtan, and tours the world as a peace activist. The surname "Kaur", meaning "princess", is shared by all female Sikhs.
Gurdwara Janam Asthan, also referred to as Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, is a highly revered gurdwara that is situated at the site where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak, was born. The shrine is located in Nankana Sahib, Punjab, Pakistan.
Sikhism in Indonesia is a small religious minority in Indonesia. There are about 10,000 to 15,000 Sikhs in Indonesia.
Satkirin Kaur Khalsa is a Sikh preacher and prolific Sikh Kirtan singer. She hosts a Kundalini Yoga show on the JUS Punjabi television channel.
Pashaura Singh (1928–2008) also known as Santa Singh or to Nihang Sikhs as Jathedar Akali Baba Santa Singh Ji Nihang 96 Crori was the 13th Jathedar of Budha Dal, succeeding Akali Chet Singh.
The Jathedar of the Akal Takht is the head of the Akal Takht and head of the Sikhs worldwide. The jathedar has the de facto power as the supreme spokesperson of the Khalsa to summon, trial and sentence any person who identifies as a Sikh from the Akal Takht.
Sikhism in China is a minority religion in the People's Republic of China. Sikhism originated from the Punjab region of the northern Indian subcontinent.
Mewa Singh Lopoke was a Sikh activist in Canada who was a member of the Vancouver branch of the Ghadar Party, which called for the overthrow of British rule in India. On October 21, 1914, Mewa Singh murdered a Canadian immigration inspector, W. C. Hopkinson, a political act of violence for which he was executed by the Canadian government. In the eyes of Sikh Canadians, Mewa Singh's assassination of Hopkinson was a display of martyrdom, one which they commemorate annually.
Sikhs in Brazil are a religious minority and there are estimated to be around 300 Sikhs living in the country.
Sikhs in Argentina are a religious minority in Argentina and there are estimated to be around 300 Sikhs living in the country.
SikhNet is a Sikh-centric website operated by the 3HO organization. SikhNet is a tax exempt 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation in the U.S.A. It caters to what it has termed as the "cyber sangat".
Sikhs in Chile are a religious minority in Chile. There is no demographic data on the Sikh population living in the country but it is estimated to be less than 1,000.
Sikhs in Mexico are a religious minority in Mexico. There is estimated to be no more than 1,000 Sikhs living in Mexico, with most residing in Mexico City and the Naucalpan region.
Argentine authorities attempted to block the entrance of a small group of Indian Sikh laborers through diplomatic means and labor exclusion.
When groups of Sikhs did reach the shores of South America it was not always at Buenos Aires. Some had to travel further, overland through Chile or Brazil.
It is known that office-bearers of the movement had visited the Argentine Sikhs in the 1930s, and had probably left some issues and other pamphlets behind.
Dr Gurusangat Kaur Khalsa said, "We have a community of more than 300 Sikhs in Brazil, out of which around 10 are 'amritdharis' whereas the rest are 'sehajdhari' Sikhs.
At the time of World War I, Sardar Ajit Singh was in Brazil. He stayed there for sixteen years. Sometimes he worked as a professor and sometimes as the manager of some firm.
Como el PNR ya no sopia, voy a former un nuevo partido poltico con los Sikhs...ojala no me hagan la del indio !
I am fighting to give some land to the Sikh people, for families around the world, any Sikh will be welcome. Come to Ecuador, it's a good land for the Sikh Nation. We can take 20 million.
The delegation is led by Dr Carlos Julio Arocemena chairman of the ruling National Revolutionary Party (PNR) and former president of Ecuador and consists of a top ranking official of the Ecuadorian foreign office, Dr Chris Tobal Montero and a lawyer, Dr Patricio Buendia. The delegation arrived here on July 26 at the initiation of Chauhan.
Jagit Singh Chauhan, the self-styled president of the Khalistan republic, said from his headquarters in Bayswater, London: 'It is true, there are lots of Sikhs going to Ecuador from Britain, India and other places. Hundreds have gone during the last two months.