Terms & Vocabulary Used in the Youth Voices Videos
Amrit Chakna — Sikh baptism ceremony administered to those who have chosen to make a commitment to the Sikh way of life.
Bani — The sacred word. Refers to the Sikh scriptures
Bhangra — Folk dance of the Punjab region of India
Chardi Kala — An attitude of eternal optimism
Dastar — Refers to the turban Sikhs wear. Used interchangeably with dastar and kesgi
Gurdwara — Literally, "the door to the Guru." Refers to Sikh house of prayer.
Gursikh — someone committed to leading a Sikh way of life
Guru Gobin Singh — The tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, and poet (1666-1708)
Guru Nanak — The founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus (1469-1539)
Hukam — Acceptance of a divine or cosmic order
Ik Ongkar — One Creator
Kaur — Last or middle name of Sikh women. It means courageous like a princess.
Khalsa — Refers to the initiated Sikhs who have taken Amrit (been baptized)
Kirat Karna — To practice and earn an honest living
Langar — Free vegetarian meal prepared by volunteers at a Gurdwara (Sikh house of worship) and served after every service.
Miri-Piri — Spiritual and temporal power. To lead a holistic life a balance between the two is needed
Naam Japna — To live in Divine Remembrance
Pugh — Refers to the turban Sikhs wear, used interchangeably with dastar and kesgi
Rehat Maryada — Code of conduct for Sikhs
Sakhi — A historical story that speaks to the life and times of the Sikh Gurus
Sangat — A congregation or community
Sardar — Term of respect often used for Sikh men
Seva — Selfless Service
Sikhi — used interchangeably with Sikhism: refers to the Sikh faith
Simran — Remembrance of the Divine
Singh — Last or middle name of Sikh men. It means courageous like a lion.
Tabla — A type of percussion instrument
Vand Chakna — To share one's resources
Waheguru — The Wonderous Creator (God).
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Bani — The sacred word. Refers to the Sikh scriptures
Bhangra — Folk dance of the Punjab region of India
Chardi Kala — An attitude of eternal optimism
Dastar — Refers to the turban Sikhs wear. Used interchangeably with dastar and kesgi
Gurdwara — Literally, "the door to the Guru." Refers to Sikh house of prayer.
Gursikh — someone committed to leading a Sikh way of life
Guru Gobin Singh — The tenth Sikh Guru, a spiritual master, and poet (1666-1708)
Guru Nanak — The founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus (1469-1539)
Hukam — Acceptance of a divine or cosmic order
Ik Ongkar — One Creator
Kaur — Last or middle name of Sikh women. It means courageous like a princess.
Khalsa — Refers to the initiated Sikhs who have taken Amrit (been baptized)
Kirat Karna — To practice and earn an honest living
Langar — Free vegetarian meal prepared by volunteers at a Gurdwara (Sikh house of worship) and served after every service.
Miri-Piri — Spiritual and temporal power. To lead a holistic life a balance between the two is needed
Naam Japna — To live in Divine Remembrance
Pugh — Refers to the turban Sikhs wear, used interchangeably with dastar and kesgi
Rehat Maryada — Code of conduct for Sikhs
Sakhi — A historical story that speaks to the life and times of the Sikh Gurus
Sangat — A congregation or community
Sardar — Term of respect often used for Sikh men
Seva — Selfless Service
Sikhi — used interchangeably with Sikhism: refers to the Sikh faith
Simran — Remembrance of the Divine
Singh — Last or middle name of Sikh men. It means courageous like a lion.
Tabla — A type of percussion instrument
Vand Chakna — To share one's resources
Waheguru — The Wonderous Creator (God).
Return to Youth Voices Home