Lesson video

Hello, my name is Mr. Womack and I am really excited to be working with you today.

I've just got a feeling that we're going to do brilliantly.

So let's get started, shall we? Today's lesson is called Kesh, Kanga, Kachera: living as a Sikh, and it comes from the unit Sikhs: what does Khalsa mean to Sikhs today? By the end of the lesson, you'll be able to describe how Sikh practises have deeper meanings.

Here are the keywords that we're going to be using throughout the learning.

Let's have a look at them now.

The first one is Kesh, the practise of Sikhs keeping their hair uncut as a sign of respect for the body as a gift from God.

The next one is Kanga, a small wooden comb that Sikhs wear to keep their hair clean and tidy, showing respect for the body and their faith.

The next is Kachera, special cotton undergarments worn by Sikhs as a symbol of modesty, cleanliness, and self-control.

And finally, modesty, dressing and acting in a way that is respectful and not showing off.

Keep your eyes peeled because we'll be returning to using these keywords throughout the lesson today.

Here is the lesson outline.

In the first part of the lesson, we're going to look at what deeper meanings do Kesh and Kanga have, and in the second part, we're going to look at how is modesty part of living as a Sikh.

We're going to start with what deeper meanings do Kesh and Kanga have? Here's Alex.

Alex explains how we use social science in religious education.

Alex says, "Social scientists are interested in how people live and how different factors affect them.

We can better understand people's worldviews by looking at photographs.

We can survey or interview people to find out more." In this lesson, we will look at data and case studies to learn how different practises show what it means to live as a Sikh.

This will help us better understand their worldviews.

Lucas and Izzy want to learn about different practises that influence how Sikhs live.

They think of some questions a social scientist might ask.

Lucas says, "I've heard about Kesh.

What is a Kesh and why is it important to Sikhs?" Izzy says, "Does Kesh have a deeper meaning? Do all Sikhs observe Kesh? Do they all observe it in the same way?" Some good questions there, and I'm sure that we'll answer them soon.

This is Giani Pradeep, a Sikh leader from London.

He explains the significance of the five Ks.

Giani says, "When a Sikh takes Amrit, they make a promise to live in a good and honest way, following the Guru's teachings.

Part of that promise is wearing the five Ks.

We keep Kesh, we use Kanga, we wear Kachera and Kara, and we carry a Kirpan." Lucas and Izzy are talking with Ranjit, who has a Sikh worldview and is from Birmingham.

Lucas says, "Hi, Ranjit.

Do you know what Kesh and Kanga are?" Ranjit says, "Yes, I know what they are.

Kesh means hair and Kanga is a comb." This is Kesh and Kanga.

So we're going to check our understanding now.

Your job is to find the two missing words.

Kesh means, and Kanga is a, and your options are A, bangle, hat, B, prayer, festival, or C, hair and comb.

You're going to need to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer? The correct answer is C.

It's hair and comb.

Well done if you got that answer right.

This is Mandeep who has a Sikh worldview and lives in London.

Mandeep says, "Guru Bobind Singh, one of our Ten Gurus, taught that hair should be allowed to grow naturally." He continues, "I don't cut the hair on my head to follow my religion and to respect the Gurus." Lucas and Izzy are now talking to Giani Pradeep.

Lucas says, "Can you help us understand why Kesh and Kanga are important in Sikhi?" Giani responds, "Many Sikhs believe the body is a gift from Waheguru.

Keeping their Kesh shows respect to God, and using the Kanga keeps their hair clean." Mandeep shares how the Kesh and Kanga help him express his faith.

Mandeep says, "I keep my Kesh uncut because it helps me stay connected to Waheguru.

My Kanga helps me keep my Kesh neat, tidy and clean.

Looking after my hair is a way for me to stay true to my faith and be proud of who I am.

It also shows everyone I am a Sikh." We're going to check our understanding now with a quick true or false question.

Khalsa Sikhs cut their hair every week as part of their religion.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is correct and why? The answer is false.

Khalsa Sikhs do not cut their hair.

They keep it uncut, which is called Kesh, because it helps them stay connected to Waheguru.

Well done if you got the right answer.

Lucas and Izzy are reflecting on their learning so far.

Lucas says, "Mandeep was a Sikh who kept Kesh.

But is this true for all Sikhs? Do we have any data to help us with this?" Izzy says, "Yes.

In 2018, 2000 Sikhs were asked about the five Ks.

35% of Sikhs kept Kesh.

So actually the majority of British Sikhs do not." Lucas and Izzy are now talking to Balbir, who has a Sikhi worldview and lives in Bradford.

Lucas says, "Hi Balbir, do you keep Kesh?" And he says, "No, I cut my hair but always look after it because I have not taken Amrit yet.

You usually don't cut your hair after this ceremony." Balbir talks a little more about his decision.

He says, "I feel I'm not ready to take Amrit yet.

It's a big commitment and means living a very special way of life.

I don't have long hair right now.

I know it's important, but I'm not ready for that commitment yet.

Even though I haven't taken Amrit, I still practise my faith.

I go to the gurdwara, I listen to sermons and I pray.

I try to be kind and honest every day." So true or false, all Sikhs have uncut hair or Kesh? You're going to need to pause the video now whilst you think, which of these is the right answer and why? The correct answer is false.

Data suggests that approximately only 35% of British Sikhs have uncut hair or observe Kesh.

Well done if you got that answer right.

Let's try another one.

In what way does Balbir practise his Sikh faith, even without taking Amrit? Is it by A, going to the gurdwara and listening to kirtan, B, by observing Kesh, or C, by only practising the faith during festivals? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is A, by going to the gurdwara and listening to kirtan.

Well done if you got that one right.

It's time for a task now.

Here's Ranjit.

Ranjit says, "I am a Sikh and I keep my Kesh long and use a Kanga every day to keep my Kesh neat." Your job is to complete the sentences to explain the deeper meanings of Kesh and Kanga for Ranjit, and you can see the sentence starters below.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you construct your answer, and I look forward to seeing what you put.

Well done for completing that task.

I wonder what you said.

You might have put something like this: Ranjit keeps his Kesh long because it shows respect for his gurus and helps him stay connected to Waheguru.

It shows everyone he is a Sikh.

Ranjit uses a Kanga because it helps him keep his Kesh neat and clean and stay true to his faith.

According to data, 35% of Sikhs keep their Kesh long.

Some Sikhs, such as Balbir, cut their hair because they do not feel ready to take the Amrit ceremony.

However, they may still go to gurdwara and try to live an honest life.

Really well done for putting in lots of effort to complete that task.

So that means that we've completed the first part of our lesson about what deeper meanings do Kesh and Kanga have.

We're now going to move on to look at how is modesty part of living as a Sikh.

Here's Lucas and Izzy.

Lucas and Izzy are now curious about practises that reflect modesty in Sikh life.

They think of some questions social scientists might ask.

Lucas says, "What does modesty mean to a Sikh? Does modesty mean the same to all Sikhs?" And Izzy says, "What are some ways that Sikhs show modesty?" Well, let's find out.

Lucas and Izzy are talking to Balbir to learn about modesty.

"Balbir, what does modesty mean in your worldview?" "Modesty for me means being humble and respectful in everything I do.

It's not about showing off or trying to look better than others." So let's check our understanding with a quick question.

What is modesty? Is it A, showing off your clothes and achievements? Is it B, being humble and respectful? Or is it C, always trying to be the centre of attention? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst do you think which of these is the right answer.

The correct answer is B.

Modesty is being humble and respectful, and this is very important if you are a Sikh.

Well done if you got the right answer.

Balbir shares and says, "Guru Nanak, the first Sikh guru, taught us to live in a simple and humble way.

He said we should dress modestly, which means wearing clothes that are respectful and not meant to show off.

I try to follow this by wearing simple clothes, including a Kachera." Lucas asks, "Giani Pradeep, what is a Kachera?" Giani Pradeep responds, "The Kachera is simple cotton underwear that reminds Sikhs to be modest, respectful and to have self-control." And you can see a picture of some just there on the slide.

Giani Pradeep explains, "In the time of the gurus, people wore different clothes than we do today.

They didn't have underwear like we have now.

When the gurus talked about modesty, they meant that our clothes should be simple and respectful, not fancy or showing off.

The Kachera is an important garment for Sikhs.

It is a symbol of modesty and reminds us to live a disciplined life." So let's check our understanding again.

What does the Kachera symbolise for Sikhs? Is the answer, A, modesty and discipline, B, fashion and style or C, wealth and power? You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is the right answer.

The right answer is A, modesty and discipline.

Well done if you got that one right.

Back to Lucas and Izzy.

Lucas and Izzy are now talking to Harpreet, who has a Sikh worldview and is from Slough.

Lucas says, "What are other ways Sikhs can show modesty?" Harpreet says, "Sikhs can also show modesty by speaking politely, helping others without expecting praise, and staying humble even when they succeed." She continues, "Here is a quote from the Guru Granth Sahib.

'Do not be proud of your power, youth or beauty.

' This means we shouldn't act like we're better than others because of how we look or what we have.

For example, when I help at a food bank, I do it without expecting praise because modesty means helping others selflessly." So let's try a quick question.

True or false, in Sikhi, modesty is shown only by wearing simple clothes and nothing else.

You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think which of these is correct and why? The correct answer is false.

Modesty in Sikhi is shown not just by simple clothing but also through respectful behaviour, being kind to others, and staying humble no matter what we have or how we look.

Well done if you got that one right.

It's time for a task now.

Izzy and Lucas are thinking about how modesty is part of living as a Sikh.

Who do you think has the best answer and why? Izzy says, "Modesty is shown by wearing the Kachera.

Sikhs wear it to stay respectful and disciplined, showing they follow the guru's teachings." Whereas Lucas says, "Sikhs show modesty through their behaviours.

They speak politely, avoid showing off, and treat everyone selflessly and with respect." You're going to want to pause the video now whilst you think about your answer to complete this task.

I look forward to seeing what you put.

I wonder what you said.

You might have said something like this: I think that Izzy had the best answer because she explained that Sikhs were the Kachera as a sign of modesty and discipline, showing respect for God and living by the guru's teachings.

Or I think Lucas had the best answer because he explained that Sikhs show modesty through their behaviour by being polite, avoiding pride and treating everyone selflessly and with respect, just as the Guru Granth Sahib teaches.

Well, that brings us to the end of this lesson, so let's summarise what we've learned together.

We've found out that the five Ks are special items that Sikhs wear after taking part in the Amrit ceremony, where they promise to live a good, honest life following the Sikh gurus.

Each item has a special meaning.

Kesh means Sikhs keep their hair uncut to respect and connect with God.

Kanga is a small comb used to keep the hair clean and tidy.

It reminds Sikhs to take care of their body and be neat.

Kachera are special cotton underwear that remind Sikhs to dress modestly, live with self-control and behave respectfully.

Really well done on a fantastic lesson.

It's been brilliant working with you today, and I look forward to working with you again in the future.

Goodbye for now.