“Outwhiskered!”

There have not been many moments in history where hair became a propaganda tool let alone in war. So if the turban was not enough of a visible identifier of the Sikh Soldier during the World Wars, his well maintained and groomed moustache and beard represented no match for his facial hair challenged foe, only aiding his metaphorical military prowess, leaving the enemy simply Outwhiskered.

This was the introduction to an exhibition, in 2015, to pay tribute to the sacrifices of Sikh soldiers and their allies.

Hosted by the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada, the exhibition Outwhiskered aimed to commemorate the remarkable, but largely forgotten contribution and experiences of Sikh soldiers, past and present. The exhibition had introduced their story through remarkable written accounts of their experiences and achievements, rarely seen imagery, and extraordinary original artifacts.

The idea was to make the commemorations of Remembrance Day more inclusive by highlighting the Sikh community’s role in these momentous events in world history, including the little know story of Sikh soldiers who fought on behalf of Canada in WWI.

See original entry here.

[ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs in Southeast Asia and surrounding countries. We have a Facebook page, do give it a LIKE. Follow us on Twitter. Visit our website: www.asiasamachar.com] 17937

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