Sikhism in Brazil
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sikhs in Brazil are a religious minority and there are estimated to be around 300 Sikhs living in the country.[1][2][3]
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| |
 Dr. Manmohan Singh at Palácio da Alvorada, Brazil | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 300 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Rio de Janeiro · São Paulo | |
| Languages | |
| Brazilian Portuguese · Punjabi • Hindi • Urdu |
History
Early 20th Century
Brazilian Sikhs started with the arrival of the first Sikh immigrants in the early 20th century. These immigrants came to Brazil seeking better economic opportunities, and they settled primarily in the southern part of the country, in the Brazilian state of Paraná. However, most Sikhs went to Brazil to reach Argentina.[4]
21st Century
In 2018, a delegation of Brazilian Sikhs visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India, to plead for gender equality within the Sikh community. The delegation included both men and women, and they called for the removal of restrictions on women's participation in some Sikh religious ceremonies.[5][6]
Demographics
Gurdwara
The Sikh community in Brazil has established several gurdwaras, or places of worship, throughout the country. One of the most well-known gurdwaras is the Shri Arjun Dev Sahib Gurdwara in the city of São Paulo, which was inaugurated in 1987. This gurdwara is the first and largest Sikh temple in Brazil and has become a symbol of the Sikh community's presence in the country.[7]