Punjabi in Canada


Population
Main Language
Largest Religion
Christian
Evangelical
Progress
Progress Gauge
More extensive map at peoplegroups.info

Introduction / History

A vast majority of the Punjabi live in India and Pakistan; however, large Punjabi communities can also be found in nearly thirty other countries. While the living conditions of the Punjabi differ greatly from country to country, they have retained much of their traditional culture and lifestyle.

The name "Punjabi" is used to describe both those who speak Punjabi, and those who inhabit the Punjab region in India and Pakistan. Punjabi is an Indo-European language that is divided into six main dialects. It is primarily spoken in the major regions of India and Pakistan.

Punjabis are also divided by three major world religions. Muslim Punjabis are largely in Pakistan. Hindus and Sikhs are mainly in India. The Sikh population is very prominent in Canada.

Though there were some Sikhs in Canada before the 1960s, that was the decade when immigration restrictions for South Asians began to relax in that country. Since that time Punjabis have become one of Canada’s most important group of immigrants.


What Are Their Lives Like?

Punjabi immigrants have taken on a variety of occupations. Many of the Sikhs, who are characterized by their neatly wound turbans, have excelled as mechanics, construction workers, and business professionals. Other Punjabi have found work in retail and trade, particularly through small family businesses. They are also instrumental in helping Canada with her agricultural needs.

Marriage is highly desired among all Punjabi, whether Muslim, Hindu or Sikh. Traditionally, residences were patrilocal, which means that young couples lived in the husband's village near his parents. However, in most Diaspora Punjabi communities, this does not occur. Newly-married couples set up their homes wherever they choose. Marriages can still be arranged by parents, but this is rarely done without extensive discussions.

Sikhs run into some culture shock in Canada. One of their beliefs is that they must be ready to defend the innocent, so they carry a ceremonial kirpan, a dagger. This does not go over well in many situations. Sikh Punjabis are drawn to police work where the head gear does not work with the mandatory turban.


What Are Their Beliefs?

The Diaspora Punjabi reflect the three major religions of their homeland: Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism. Most of the Diaspora Punjabi speakers are Sikhs, including those in Canada.

Sikhism is a monotheistic religion that was founded in northern India during the sixteenth century. Its teachings have combined the elements of both Hinduism and Islam in an attempt to find one god who transcends all religious distinctions.


What Are Their Needs?

There have been minor breakthroughs among Punjabi Sikhs both in India and Canada. It’s possible that Sikh background believers can take the gospel to others in Canada.

There is a great need for more church planting teams to begin focusing on the Punjabi. Their search for 'one god who transcends all religions' can provide the open door to share Jesus - the one true God and Savior - with them.


Prayer Points

Ask God to give wisdom to missions agencies focusing on the Sikh Punjabis in Canada.
Pray that the Lord of the harvest will thrust forth loving laborers to work among the Punjabis.
Ask God to encourage Punjabi Christ followers to disciple others to make even more disciples.
Ask the Holy Spirit to soften their hearts towards the savior, Jesus Christ.
Ask the Lord to raise up strong local churches among the Punjabis.


Scripture Prayers for the Punjabi in Canada.


References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sikhism_in_Canada
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sikhism


Profile Source:   Joshua Project  

People Name General Punjabi
People Name in Country Punjabi
Pronunciation puhn-JAH-bee
Alternate Names Eastern Punjabi; Gurmukhi; Mirpur Punjabi; Panjabi; Sikh
Population this Country 292,000
Population all Countries 2,184,000
Total Countries 18
Indigenous No
Progress Scale 1
Unreached Yes
Frontier People Group No
GSEC 1  (per PeopleGroups.org)
Pioneer Workers Needed 6
PeopleID3 14483
ROP3 Code 108182
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Toronto (Brampton), Vancouver (Surrey), Calgary (Castleridge), Edmonton, Abbotsford (Clearbrook), Winnipeg, Montreal (Parc Extension), Hamilton (Grayside)   Source:  Global Gates 2022
Country Canada
Region America, North and Caribbean
Continent North America
10/40 Window No
National Bible Society Website
Persecution Rank Not ranked
Location in Country Toronto (Brampton), Vancouver (Surrey), Calgary (Castleridge), Edmonton, Abbotsford (Clearbrook), Winnipeg, Montreal (Parc Extension), Hamilton (Grayside).   Source:  Global Gates 2022
Map of Punjabi in Canada
Primary Religion: Other / Small
Major Religion Percent
Buddhism
0.00 %
Christianity  (Evangelical 1.50 %)
2.50 %
Ethnic Religions
0.00 %
Hinduism
34.00 %
Islam
20.00 %
Non-Religious
2.50 %
Other / Small
41.00 %
Unknown
0.00 %
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (292,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Punjabi
Dialect Code 761   Global Recordings Listing
Language Written Yes   ScriptSource Listing
Total Languages 1
Primary Language Punjabi, Eastern (292,000 speakers)
Language Code pan   Ethnologue Listing
Primary Dialect Punjabi
Dialect Code 761   Global Recordings Listing
Total Languages 1
People Groups Speaking Punjabi, Eastern

Primary Language:  Punjabi, Eastern

Bible Translation Status  (Years)
Bible-Portions Yes  (1818-1954)
Bible-New Testament Yes  (1815-2011)
Bible-Complete Yes  (1959-2021)
FCBH NT (www.bible.is) Online
YouVersion NT (www.bible.com) Online
Possible Print Bibles
Amazon
World Bibles
Forum Bible Agencies
National Bible Societies
World Bible Finder
Virtual Storehouse
Resource Type Resource Name Source
Audio Recordings Audio Bible teaching Global Recordings Network
Audio Recordings DAVAR Partners recording, complete Bible DAVAR Partners International
Audio Recordings Online Audio Scripture Talking Bibles
Audio Recordings Recorded oral Bible Oral Bibles
Film / Video Following Jesus video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video God's Story video God's Story
Film / Video Jesus Film: view in Punjabi, Eastern Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Magdalena video Jesus Film Project
Film / Video Story of Jesus for Children Jesus Film Project
General Bible for Children Bible for Children
General Bible in text or audio or video Internet Publishing Sevice
General Bible in text or audio or video South Asia Bibles
General Biblical answers to your questions Got Questions Ministry
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Faith Comes By Hearing - Bible in text or audio or video Faith Comes by Hearing
General Four Spiritual Laws Cru
General Scripture Earth Gospel resources links Scripture Earth
General YouVersion Bible versions in text and/or audio YouVersion Bibles
General Zume Resources Zume Project
General Zume Training Zume Project
Mobile App Android Bible app direct APK download SIL
Mobile App Android Bible App: Punjabi Bible (ਪੰਜਾਬੀ ਬਾਈਬਲ) Indian Revised Version (IRV) Operation Agape
Mobile App Android Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App Android Bible Radio app: Punjabi Bible Radio Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App Android Book Reading app: Open Bible Stories (Punjabi) Shalom Design S2dio
Mobile App iOS Bible app: Punjabi, Eastern YouVersion Bibles
Mobile App iOS Bible Radio App: Punjabi Bible Radio iOS Revive India
Text / Printed Matter Children and youth resources One Hope
Text / Printed Matter Download scripture in this language eBible.org
Text / Printed Matter Literacy primer for Punjabi, Eastern Literacy & Evangelism International
Text / Printed Matter Tools for faith conversations Cru
Text / Printed Matter Topical Scripture booklets and Bible studies World Missionary Press
Photo Source Web Flippy - Pixabay 
Map Source People Group location: IMB. Map geography: ESRI / GMI. Map design: Joshua Project.  
Profile Source Joshua Project 
Data Sources Data is compiled from various sources. Learn more.


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