Sikh

Sikh (English: [siːk] or [sɪk]; Punjabi: ਸਿੱਖ, sikkh, IPA: [ˈsɪk.kʰ]) is the title and name given to an adherent of Sikhism. The term has its origin in the Sanskrit term śiṣya, meaning "disciple, learner" or śikṣa, meaning "instruction".[25][26]

According to Article I of the "Rehat Maryada" (the Sikh code of conduct & conventions), a Sikh is defined as "any human being who faithfully believes in One Immortal Being; ten Gurus, from Guru Nanak Dev to Sri Guru Gobind Singh; the Sri Guru Granth Sahib; the utterances and teachings of the ten Gurus and the baptism bequeathed by the tenth Guru; and who does not owe allegiance to any other religion".[27] The most common symbol of all Sikhs, because of its simplicity, is uncut hair (including beards for men) and turbans.

It is important to understand that all of the symbols that make a fully baptized Sikh's appearance so distinctive are optional to "slow-adopter" ("sahajdhari") Sikhs. These individuals believe in the principles of Sikhism and identify as Sikh but have not yet decided they are ready to make the commitment to become baptized. Some Sikhs may never make this decision in their lifetimes. While some slow-adopter Sikhs will display some of the most overt signs, such as uncut hair, and consequently turbans and beards on males, this is not necessarily the case.

The greater Punjab region is the historic homeland of Sikhism. Most Sikhs are Punjabis and come from the Punjab region, although significant communities exist around the world. Punjabis and the Punjab region's history has been tremendously important in the formation of Sikhism as a religion. This is also one of the reasons why Sikhs are also described as an ethnoreligious group.