Introduction / History

The Darzi originally lived in Central Asia and migrated to India long ago. The word darzi means "tailor." Not surprisingly, the primary occupation of the Darzi is sewing and production of clothes and fabrics. The most spoken language of the Darzi is Hindi. Others Darzi speak the regional languages where they live.

What Are Their Lives Like?

Their traditional trade is tailoring, and many still do this just as their ancestors did many years ago. Educated Darzi have taken jobs in medicine, government, as engineers and as college professors. Typically, Darzis work in cities and towns practicing their trade of dying, sewing, and making clothing. They sell their clothes in shops and in village markets. Some of them sell ready-made clothes. Darzi women are very adept at embroidery.

What Are Their Beliefs?

Sikhism originated from a 15th century teacher named Guru Nanak Dev as a reform movement. He rejected the Hindu caste system, taught that all people were equal and that all have equal access to God. The Sikh God is formless, without gender and is to be found in everyone. One gets closer to God by living a good life and by practicing charity. Like Hindus, Sikhs believe in reincarnation and the law of karma; you reap what you sow in your previous life. Like Muslims, the Sikhs worship only one God.

One may recognize a Sikh man by his distinctive turban. All the 10 great Sikh gurus wore turbans. Sikh teaching mandates that a person not cut his or her hair. They worship their holy book, the Granth Sahib, which is a collection of hymns.

There are roughly the same number of Sikhs as there are Jews in the world, but Sikhs are most concentrated in Punjab, their homeland. However, you will find smaller numbers of Sikhs all over the world. Many of the best Indian restaurants in the West are owned and operated by Sikhs.

What Are Their Needs?

Like all other peoples of the world, this people group needs the blessings and guidance that only Jesus Christ can offer.

Prayer Points

Pray that loving and patient believers will talk with the Darzi Sikhs about knowing God through Christ.
Pray for a spiritual hunger among the Sikh Darzi that will lead them to a movement to Christ.
May the Darzi people soon rejoice in accepting God's mercy, forgiveness, and gift of salvation in Jesus, and give thanks to their Creator.

Scripture Prayers for the Darzi (Sikh traditions) in India.