Canterbury Punjabi Association hosted ‘Turban Day’ on Saturday, November 21 offering the public to try on the Sikh headgear and understand the teachings of the religion.
Approximately 70 turbans were brought by the organisers assisted by 40 volunteers who distributed pamphlets and invited people to try on the Sikh turban and get a better understanding of what it means for the Sikh community.
The hosts say that more than 200 people tried the turban on Cathedral Square in Christchurch where people were curious about the headgear and how does it feel to carry massive clothing on one’s head.
“We had some volunteers who invited people passing by while others are seeing the turbans themselves dropped by to try to wear the turban,” Narinder Warraich from Canterbury Punjabi Association said.
“People were inquisitive how one can carry a massive piece of clothing wrapped on the head and carry on to their daily activities, but once they tried on the turban, they felt light and normal wearing a turban can be,”
The event was supported by Sikh Youth NZ distributed pamphlets to the public and people trying the turban that had some interesting facts about Sikhism, articles of faith, its basic teachings and philosophy, global presence, elements of Sikh religion and famous people around the world who are from Sikh religion.
Both men and women in the Sikh community wear a turban as it signifies not just a cultural or religious identity but also represents the embodiment of Sikh values, teachings and love for the Guru Nanak and his practices. The turban worn by Sikh men and women is also a symbol of gender equality.
“Every year, we hold Turban day events, and such events are prevalent all-over New Zealand.
“The purpose of the event is to educate people from different faiths, and ethnicities are living in New Zealand about Sikhism, its teachings and increase awareness of the turban, which is an important part of the dress of a Sikh person,” Narinder told The Indian Weekender.
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