ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the social and cultural practices of Sikhs in Japan. It examines the socio-cultural practices observed by them in their native villages in order to identify the patterns of continuity and change in their life. The examination of their social and cultural practices will be in terms of the notion of ‘habitus’. Habitus is the set of acquired physical and mental property and the inclination created through activities and experiences related to thought, behaviour and taste of everyday life. Many of the Sikhs living in Tokyo without their families cook Indian food themselves. In Kobe the practices related to food seemed different from Tokyo because of the affluent economic status of the Sikhs living there. The Sikh men both in Tokyo and Kobe wore Western clothes similar to India, while the women shifted to wearing Western dresses. The recreation pattern was similar both in India and Japan while in the case of celebration of festivals.
