Sikhs Across Borders Transnational Practices of European Sikhs

Sikhs Across Bordersis the first study to explore patterns of transnational practices among European Sikhs, with particular focus on the links between the Sikhs in Europe,Punjab (the 'home-land') and within a global Sikh community. The book illustrates how local and transnational spheres coexist and interact in amultitude of social and cultural practices and discourses among European Sikhs past and present. Based on new empirical research the book explores how religion continues to play a significant role in thedaily lives of European Sikhs and is important for their maintenance of links with the homeland, as well as Sikhs in other parts of the world. The team ofinternational contributors show how Sikhs are shaping new self-representations and identity constructions through a multitude oftransnational practices on the individual, national and global level, such as marriages, pilgrimage narratives, and the use of the internet and new media.Further transnational practices examined include religious learning and teaching practices and responses to political events in the diaspora.

Notes on Contributors \ List of Tables \ Introduction: Transnational European Sikhs Knut A. Jacobsen and Kristina Myrvold \ Part I: Migration, Settlement and Challenges in the Diaspora \ 1. Comparative Experiences of Sikhs in Europe: Reflections on Issues of Cultural Transmission and Identity 30 Years On Shinder S. Thandi \ 2. Sikh Soldiers in Europe during the First World War, 1914-1918 David E. Omissi \ 3. Mobility as a Transnational Strategy: Sikhs Moving to and from Belgium Quincy Cloet, Sara Cosemans and Idesbald Goddeeris \ 4. Transnational Sikh Marriages in Italy: Facilitating Migration and Negotiating Traditions Barbara Bertolani \ Part II: Constructing Identities, Representations and Belongings \ 5. Narratives of 'Return'? Travels to Punjab in the Contemporary Transnational Sikhscape Federica Ferraris \ 6. Tuning Identity in European 'Houses of the Guru': The Importance of Gurdwaras and Kirtan among Sikhs in Europe Knut A. Jacobsen \ 7. Attending the Cyber Sangat: The Use of Online Discussion Boards among European Sikhs Satnam Singh \ 8. 'Sikhizing the Sikhs': The Role of 'New Media' in Historical and Contemporary Identity Construction within Global Sikhism Doris R. Jakobsh \ Part III: Learning, Teaching and Contesting Religious Beliefs and Practices \ 9. Global Sikh-ers: Transnational Learning Practices of Young British Sikhs Jasjit Singh \ 10. Transnational Sikh Preachers: Local Training and Global Aspiration of Kathavacaks in Punjab Kristina Myrvold \ 11. The Journey of Guru Granth Sahib to Italian Sikhs: Defining 'National' Leadership in Transnational Mass Media Barbara Bertolani and Iqbal Singh \ 12. Contesting and Confirming Religious Authority in the Diaspora: Transnational Communication and the Dasam Granth Controversy in the Nordic Countries Knut A. Jacobsen, Kristina Myrvold, Ravinder Kaur and Laura Hirvi \ Glossary \ Index