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.
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 Former Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh with Former President of Chile, Mr. Ricardo Lagos Escobar (20 January 2005) | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| Unknown (Fewer than 1,000) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Santiago · Iquique | |
| Religions | |
| Sikhism | |
| Languages | |
| Chilean Spanish • Andean Spanish • Punjabi • Hindi • Urdu | |
| Website | |
| https://sikh.cl/ (Sikh Dharma Chile) |
History
editThe arrival of Sikhs in Chile largely started in the early 1900s to work on the railway lines to connect to Bolivia. Due to the Anti-Asian immigration policy within North America in the early 20th century, most Sikhs arrived in Chile before moving onto Argentina.[1][2]
Yogi Bhajan introduced Sikhism at a larger scale to Chile in the late 20th century.[3] This was particularly done through Kundalini yoga, which was popular in the 1960s.
In 2010, a Chilean documentary was released called "Sikh en Santiago". This was based upon the troubles facing a turbaned Sikh man in Santiago due to his appearance and Sikh faith.[4]
Religious Recognition
editIn 2016, Sikhism (recognised as Sikh Dharma)[5] was officially legally recognised as a religion in Chile, making it the first to do so in South America. Following recognition, Sikhs will also be allowed to wear the Kirpan, pursue other religious projects and receive donations.[6]
Gurdwara
editThere are currently two Gurdwara's in Chile in Iquique and Viña del Mar.[7]
The Gurdwara in Iquique shares the space with a Hindu temple.
Gurdwara Guru Ram Das Ashram in Viña del Mar to Agia Akal Singh and Charansev Kaur Khalsa. The Nishaan Sahib was first raised in Chile on October 9, 2019, in commemoration of Guru Ram Das’ birthday
Chilean Sikh Organisations
editSee also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Sikhs in Other Latin American Countries". journeys.dartmouth.edu.
Sikhs faced many issues in settling in Canada and USA in the early 1900s because of the anti-Asian immigration policy of America and the whites-only policy of Canada. Hence many Sikhs were pushed to travel to the country they referred to as "Tina" in search of prosperity and opportunity.
- ^ Singh, Kahlon Swarn (2012). Sikhs in Latin America. Manohar Publishers. ISBN 9788173049385.
- ^ "'We will now be protected': Sikhs get legal rights in Chile". Hindustan Times. 27 March 2016.
- ^ "Sikh en Santiago".
- ^ "Sikhism Recognized As a Religion in Chile". Harvard University. 18 February 2016.
- ^ "Sikhism now a legally recognised religion in Chile". The Tribune. 19 February 2016.
- ^ "Nishaan Sahib Raising in Chile – For The First Time". Sikh Dharma Chile. 8 November 2019.
- ^ "Langar Chile» The group that distributes food to homeless people in Osorno". Soydeosorn. 25 April 2022.
- ^ "Langar Chile". Sikh Dharma. 5 October 2021.