How are Sikh beliefs shown in festivals?
Activities Have a general discussion about why human beings celebrate festivals. What are the names of any Sikh festivals that you know? Identify the dates of the major Sikh festivals on the calendar and name them. As a class, investigate the two main types of Sikh festival – gurpurbs and jore melal, making sure that pupils understand the difference between them. Read Sikh accounts of what happens during a festival, at least one example for each type of festival, eg Guru Nanak’s birthday (around 18 November) and Baisakhi (14 April). Discuss why Sikhs celebrate these festivals and ask pupils to identify the main Sikh teachings or beliefs inherent in each. Pupils should make a record of the key events and beliefs in each festival. Select one of these festivals and ask pupils to imagine they are reporters for a local newspaper writing a piece on the festival, covering what happens and why. Outcomes describe the events of two Sikh festivals explain the key beliefs behind these festivals un
