PUNJABI - SIKH MIGRATION LATIN AMERICA A GEOGRAPHIC PROFILE - 2010
22-23 March 2010.

Paper presented at CDS, Trivandrum, Seminar 'Migrations, Mobility and Multiple Affiliations:
Punjabis in a Transnational World':

Abstract

It is almost amazing how the Sikh-Punjabi villagers decided to migrate to a continent farthest from Punjab and about which very little was known. The number of immigrants is small, and many are totally assimilated with marriages to local spouses. In the last two to three decades Sikhs have built Gurdwaras in several countries which is helping re-energize their linkage with Punjab and Sikhi. The preferred target countries were Argentina, Panama and Mexico. Argentina was a relatively prosperous country in early 20th century. Choice of other two countries was also understandable - Panama because of the Canal construction and Mexico because of its land border with USA providing an opportunity to cross over. The first migration was in late 19th century, but majority migration was during the first three decades of the 20th century. The Bolivian experiment in 1980's of setting up large scale farming conglomerate, though well-conceived, could not succeed. The setting up of so-called Khalistan HQ in Ecuador in 1985 was more a myth than a reality. The ex-Chief Justice of Belize was son of a Sikh Immigrant. The paper is based on authors' travels to eight countries in 2005 and 2006. The history of migration, social and cultural scene and broad economic parameters and the recent forays by illegals have been discussed. Since large majority of Punjabi immigrants are Sikhs, the study is titled Punjabi-Sikh Migration.

Background - A Study of Sikh Global Village

The author wanted to contribute to the field of Punjabi - Sikh Diaspora. He wanted to do something out of the routine which could be more original and contribute to the hitherto not-so-well known. A study of Sikhs in Northern America, UK, S.E.A., and Australasia was ruled out as a lot has been written about the Sikh presence in these areas. Furthermore, it was thought that focus on "success" stories alone would not be a true and total representation of Sikhs settled overseas. So, in order to complete the 'MAP OF SIKH MIGRATION' from Punjab and to fill in the gaps in Diaspora knowledge, the following geographical areas were prioritized: Latin America Asia Pacific Continental Europe. It was decided to make a start with Latin America. This was to honour the "Farther the Better" spirit of early migrants and accordingly Argentina was the first country to be visited.