Region and Culture
Region
http://www.indiatravelite.com/states/punjab.GIF
Sikhism's originated in Punjab, the country was split up into two countries and today they are known today as Pakistan and India. Most Sikhs currently reside in India, more specifically in the Punjab region of India, and they only make up about two percent of India's total population. About ninety percent of Sikhs live in India, and the other ten percent, and they make up over half of the Punjab region's population. Because of migration the other ten percent of Sikhs live in various countries all around the world. Most of the remaining ten percent of Sikhs are located in the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada. Other places Sikhs live in include; the Middle east, in the Western part Europe, Australia, in the Southeastern part of Asia, various countries in South America and also in the Eastern area of Africa.
http://www.sikhtourismindia.com/sikh-culture-festivals.htm
http://www.sikhtourismindia.com/sikh-culture-festivals.htm
Culture
bbc.co.uk
Sikhs have five things that they are supposed to have, and they are known as the five K's and each has certain meaning, and symbolism. The first is Kesh (uncut hair) hair is part of God's creation, it symbolizes a simple life, it shows that you are willing to move beyond your concerns for the body and are aiming toward spiritual maturity. The second is Kara (a steel bracelet ) this reminds Sikhs not to do anything the guru doesn't approve of, the material is steel because it's not an ornament, it is a symbol of restraint. The third is Kanga (a wooden comb), which is a symbol of having both a mind and body that are clean, and it helps you look after your uncut hair. The fourth is Kaccha (cotton underwear) it's a symbol of chastity, and it was used by sikh warrior while they rode on horseback. The fifth is Kirpan ( a steel sword) it symbolizes the defense of both the weak and the good, spirituality, and the struggles of fighting injustice. Sikhs that have been admitted into Khalsa, wear all five of these things, and they are worn basically because the guru said they were to be worn. They reject any sort of caste system, and they believe that in God's eyes everyone is equal. They lives are very focused on becoming closer to God and the rest of the Sikh community. They still live ordinary lives and they constantly do all sort of chores as part of their service in their own communities. They live to serve others, they aim ti eliminate their egos and their own pride, they work to care for people besides themselves. They basically just have three duties that tell the whole story of what they lived to, those three things are to pray and to always keep God in your mind, to work and earn an honest wage, they avoid crime and things like gambling, and to give to others like donating money to charity and providing care to those who need it.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/beliefs/beliefs.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/customs/fiveks.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/beliefs/beliefs.shtml
http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/sikhism/customs/fiveks.shtml