Peranan Gurdwara dalam Pembentukan Identiti Sikh di Malaysia: Antara Ideal dan Praktis (The Role of Gurdwara in the Formation of Sikh Identity in Malaysia: Between Ideal and Practice)

Abstract

This enthnographical research examines the role of the Sikh Gurdwara in the formation of the Sikh identity in Malaysia. Two aspects were observed: the historical and the transformation of the religious institutions. Collection of data was done through participant observation at two Sikh places of worship: Gurdara Sahib Tatt Khalsa Diwan (GSTKD) in Kuala Lumpur and Gurdawara Sahib Kota Kinabalu (GSKK) in Sabah. In this study, ten regular visitors to the gurdawara were interviewed. Various reasons motivated the involvement of the Sikh community in the religious affairs at the gurdawara. There are two important groups at the gurdawara: the Granthi Sahib (the religious specialist group) and the Gurdawara Management Committee (GMC). This research documents the various conflicts between both groups that had disrupted the smooth flow of the gurdawara's role as a religious institution, in general, and to build the Sikh identity, in particular. The research has also shown differences between the two gurdawaras in Kuala Lumpur and in Kota Kinabalu in terms of community support, finances, basic amenities and religious program structure. Hence, the understanding and the practices of visitors to both gurdawaras show remarkable differences. The Punjabi Peranakan community in Kota Kinabalu clearly has different perceptions of the Sikh religion and identity compared to Sikhs in Semenanjung Malaysia.

Keywords: Gurdwara institution, Sikh identity, Gurdwara Management Committee, Granthi Sahib, Peranakan Punjabi Community

ABSTRAK

Kajian etnografi ini adalah berkenaan peranan gurdwara dalam pembentukan identiti komuniti Sikh di Malaysia daripada segi sejarah dan transformasi institusi keagamaan tersebut. Pengumpulan data melalui kerja lapangan telah dilakukan dengan menggunakan kaedah pemerhatian ikutserta dan temubual mendalam di dua buah gurdwara, iaitu Gurdwara Sahib Tatt Khalsa Diwan (GSTKD) di Kuala Lumpur dan Gurdwara Sahib Kota Kinabalu (GSKK) di Sabah. Sebanyak sepuluh orang responden yang menjadi pengunjung tetap gurdwara telah ditemubual secara mendalam dalam kajian ini. Penglibatan komuniti Sikh dalam kegiatan keagamaan di gurdwara telah didorongi oleh pelbagai faktor termasuk kepentingan kekeluargaan, psikososial dan program keagamaan yang diadakan di gurdwara berkenaan. Kajian ini menunjukkan bahawa terdapat pelbagai bentuk konflik berkaitan peranan yang dimainkan oleh dua golongan utama dalam pengurusan gurdwara, iaitu Granthi Sahib (golongan religious specialist) dan Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Gurdwara (JPG) sehingga menyebabkan timbulnya masalah daripada segi kelicinan gurdwara memainkan peranannya sebagai institusi keagamaan dan dalam pembentukan identiti Sikh secara umumnya. Kajian ini juga menunjukkan bahawa terdapat perbezaan ketara antara gurdwara di Kuala Lumpur dan gurdwara di Kota Kinabalu dari segi sokongan komuniti, kewangan, kemudahan asas dan struktur perjalanan program keagamaan. Justeru, pemahaman dan penghayatan keagamaan dalam kalangan pengunjung gurdwara di dua tempat berkenaan mempunyai perbezaan yang sangat jelas. Komuniti peranakan Punjabi di Kota Kinabalu ternyata mempunyai persepsi yang berlainan dari segi agama dan identiti Sikh berbanding orang Sikh di Semenanjung.

Kata kunci: Institusi Gurdwara, identiti Sikh, Jawatankuasa Pengurusan Gurdwara, Granthi Sahib, komuniti Peranakan Punjabi