INTRODUCTION 1 The Background of the Study

1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 The Background of the Study Indonesia is classified to the public community that is diverse. Indonesia reflects the plurality of ethnic diversity which can be seen from the indigenous communities such as Java, Mandailing, Toba, Minangkabau, Madura, Malay and so on. In addition, the presence of foreign nations from outside of Indonesia as well as China, India, Arab and European ethnic groups adds the diversity of Indonesia. The presence of a foreign nation is due to the Indonesian archipelago was once a haven trade one of the nations of China, India, Arab. One of the foreigners who came to Indonesia, namely the people of India. Indian community in Indonesia has sub groups: Punjabi, Tamil, Sindhi, Telegu, Gujarati. In Indonesia, the ethnic Punjabi, not only in one area but spreading to many areas. The Punjabi generally scatter in the area of Java such as Jakarta, Bandung, Yogyakarta, Surabaya and in Sumatera Utara such as Medan, Binjai, Tanjung Balai, Bukit Tinggi, and range. In MedanPunjabi also scatter to every related area such as Marelan, Marendal, Polonia, Tengku Omar, and Sari Rejo. The Punjabiof Medan live in areas, mostly Sari Rejo. Generally Punjabi is Sikh. Sikh literally means a disciple or follower. Sikhs are the disciples of their founders and the followers of Guru Nanaks teachings. Sikh teachings are part of Hindu religion founded in the 16th century in Punjab. Guru Nanak Sikh teachings are carriers. Guru Nanak took the best of Hinduism and Islam then combine the two religions, thus forming the Sikh teachings. Of the two religions, Sikhs follow the teachings of the theology of Universitas Sumatera Utara Islam that is the religion of one God and the faith to believe in Allah the Almighty and prohibit the use of idols. In addition, Sikhs follow the teachings of the Hindu ritual of the influence of Hindu tradition is very strong. Punjabi who hold the doctrine does not eliminate the Sikh identity. Barth1969: 12saysthateachethnicgrouphasits ownculturalcharacteristics. Barth1969: 29says that a communitycanbe regarded asan ethnicgroupat least ithas the characteristicsinherent inthe group,as well asdistinguishingfeatures oftheothergroups. this canbe seenfromthe particular characteristicsof ethnicSikhswhoownthebig andburly, tall, long hairandbeard, andwearing asorbanon his head Sikh ethnic cultural traditions can be seen from the traditions of Sikh religious ceremonies. The most interesting religious traditional ceremonies held ethnic Sikhs is the marriage ceremony Anand Karaj. Ethnic Sikh marriage ceremony is unique and different from the marriage ceremony other ethnic Indian descents residing in Medan. Through which the marriage ceremony is divided into threestages: 1 Pre-marriage ceremony, that is allcustom, rules, ideas, andallordinancesadoptedbeforemarriagetakes place. 2 When the marriage ceremony, the ceremonys most peaks in the series of customs and ceremonies of marriage. Inauguration of the marriage is by each party individually or family. 3 After the marriage ceremony,manner release party for the bride is performed by reuniting the family. Universitas Sumatera Utara

1.2 The Problems of the Study

Based onthe background above, the problem of study is how the processes of the Sikh Marriage in Medan are?

1.3 The Scope of the Study

The scope of the study is about customs and manner of the Sikh marriage in Medan.

1.4 The Objetive of the Study

The object of writing this paper is to describe the process of the Sikh marriage in Medan. .

1.5 The Reasons for Choosing the Topic

To provide knowledge about ethnic Sikhs as one the cultural diversity found in Indonesia especially in Medan. Sikh marriage has a unique ceremony. That is one of reason to state that it is very interesting to be written and spreaded to the people whoever want to know about it. 1.6The Methods of the Study a Library research Library research is done to get the information in solving a problem, to fulfill an academic assignment or for our own purpose. This method is used to find a certain data by collecting some books that connected with Sikh marriage and customs of Sikh cultural. Universitas Sumatera Utara b Field research Field research is a way of unearthing that information. It is used by observe to the place and interviewing the people who know the problems about Sikh marriage in Medan and the process of ceremony by writing in the paper. Universitas Sumatera Utara 2. THE BACKGROUND OF SIKH 2.1 Society